Yaounde: Man who murdered neighbour's child reportedly faking ignorance.

According to the victim's family, the incident stemmed from a dispute at a local bar between the deceased's father, Paulin Ouandji, and his neighbour, Nwafo Dagobert. 

The family recounted that the alleged assailant, after the fracas at the bar, later went to their home and confronted Ouandji’s children.

The family said the accused had told the children that he came to kill them and before the eldest could react, he slashed the arm of the younger Mathis. The child later died at the Yaounde Military Hospital.

The alleged perpetrator, Nwafo, is said to have attempted to flee after the act but was confronted by an enraged populace who sought immediate retribution. 

Locals said law enforcement officers swiftly intervened, taking Nwafo into custody. He is said to be currently hospitalised after being manhandled by a mob.

Unconfirmed reports hold that Nwafo has regained consciousness and is claiming he has no memory of the May 10 incident. 

The tragedy has also affected the family of the accused, especially his daughter, Lydol, a prominent Cameroonian slam artiste with international recognition. Lydol has publicly expressed profound sorrow and offered her condolences to the victim's family, canceling all her concerts.

Gov’t condemns act, offers support to family 

Meanwhile, government has, through the Ministries of Social Affairs, MINAS, and Women's Empowerment and the Family, MINPROFF, condemned the killing of six-year-old Mathis-Nathaniel Ouandji.

Speaking to the State broadcaster, CRTV, the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irène Nguene, expressed deep shock, adding that: 

“We have set up a technical team of social workers who will go to the field to support and assist the family on a psychosocial level”.

The member of government, as reported by CRTV, also paid a visit to the compound of the deceased, yesterday. 

On her part, the Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, in a statement issued Wednesday, extended condolences to the bereaved family. She described the act as heinous and cruel.

Minister Abena Ondoa regretted that it happened on the eve of the International Day of Families celebrated on May 15, and the Day of the African Child to be commemorated on June 16, 2025. 

She underscored that the theme for this year's International Day of Families: "Cultivating Peace and Solidarity within Families for a United, Inclusive, and Prosperous Cameroon", is a compelling reminder of the urgent need to promote peace and living together.

The minister cited the growing concern within the national community and her ministry regarding the increasing frequency and severity of infanticides and femicides. The happenings, she said, are a threat to the integrity of families and the lives of vulnerable children and women.

She called for collective action to prevent and protect these vulnerable groups. She urged families and communities to be more vigilant and report any instance of abuse or violence against children or women. 

To facilitate this, she reminded the public of the toll-free helpline, 116, which can be used to report cases of mistreatment, violence, or abuse. She also said the ministry can provide assistance to those affected.

Both ministers also emphasised the sanctity of human life, reiterating that no individual has the right to take another's life, regardless of circumstances.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3450 of Friday May 16, 2025