Authorities have also pledged to take measures to maintain social cohesion and prevent potential reprisals.
Authorities in the Far North Region have arrested 20 suspects in connection with the brutal killing of two researchers and their guide in the village of Mbalda on March 2, 2025. The victims, Frédéric Mounsi and Bienvenue Bello, both from the Garoua Geological and Mining Research Institute, along with their guide, Oumarou Kalabay, were conducting fieldwork related to drinking water access in the Mandara Mountains when they were attacked and killed. The Cameroonian Ministry of Scientific Research condemned the killings as a “barbaric massacre” and called for justice. The victims’ bodies were initially buried, but local authorities have authorized their exhumation on March 14 to allow for further forensic investigations. The exhumation aims to provide crucial evidence for the autopsy, helping to determine the exact cause of death.
Families of the deceased are also seeking an independent and transparent investigation to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the murders. According to reports, the 20 suspects are currently being held at the Mokolo gendarmerie, where interrogations are ongoing. Authorities are working to establish the motive behind the attack and whether it was premeditated or linked to broader tensions in the region. The killings have heightened concerns over security and social stability in the Far North, an area already grappling with significant challenges.
Community leaders from the victims’ hometowns-Lamé for Frédéric Mounsi and the canton of Lara for Bienvenue Bello-have called for justice and restraint, urging against acts of revenge that could escalate tensions. Lawyers representing the families insist on a thorough and unbiased inquiry, emphasizing the need for transparency in the legal process. Local elites and development associations have also called for government intervention to support the bereaved families and prevent further violence.
The government has urged the public to remain calm while ensuring that investigations proceed efficiently. Authorities have also pledged to take measures to maintain social cohesion and prevent potential reprisals. As the legal process unfolds, the families of the victims continue to seek answers and justice for their lost loved ones.
