The National Gendarmerie in Bafoussam, chief town of the West region, is expressing serious concern over the increasing cases of jungle justice in the area.
Since the third quarter of the year, there have been more than fifteen recorded incidents of the population taking the law into their own hands.
These acts of popular vindictiveness have led to social and moral regression, as well as instances of abuse, inhuman treatment, and even death.
Lieutenant-Colonel Yannick Pantaléon Assogo Bolo, commander of the Bafoussam territorial gendarmerie group, highlighted a recent case where a commercial bike rider was accused of stealing a bike and subsequently killed by a mob. The five perpetrators of this act were arrested and detained.
The root cause of these incidents, according to the local population, is a lack of confidence in the police, the courts, and the prison system, as well as the slow pace of legal action.
Many individuals feel that they must take matters into their own hands and resort to violent acts of « justice » when they come across criminals. Unfortunately, these acts often result in deadly violence, with innocent individuals being targeted based on simple accusations.
The rise in jungle justice cases in Bafoussam is becoming alarming and according to the people, efforts need to be made in order to restore trust in the justice system and ensure that legal action is carried out swiftly and fairly.
FRU William.
