The Branch Head of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (South West Branch), Christopher Tambe Tiku, has condemned the inhumane treatment and extortion of a young man by police officers and gendarmes in Buea. According to Tambe Tiku, the victim, Nkeh Pascal, was intercepted by security forces on his way home from a football match on April 9, 2025, and accused of being an Ambazonia separatist.
The security forces allegedly ransacked Pascal's residence and found no incriminating evidence but still tortured and extorted 400,000 FCFA from him. Tambe Tiku revealed that the officers even hired a taxi to take Pascal to his bank to withdraw money, which he resisted. When the transaction failed due to an incorrect PIN, the officers forced Pascal to contact friends to contribute to the ransom.
The Cameroon Human Rights Commission launched an investigation, identified the officers involved, and recovered the full amount extorted. Tambe Tiku stated, "We have insisted that as an office, we put a formal complaint to the legal department so that legal action should be taken against all the officers involved in this illegality." The commission plans to tender the recovered money as evidence in court to prosecute the officers.
Tambe Tiku expressed dismay at the appalling situation, emphasizing that people should not be treated in an inhumane and degrading manner by those sworn to protect them. He highlighted the need for accountability, stating, "The officers know themselves. We have asked them to give us the contacts of the gendarmes and army but they are still keeping it away from us." Once the officers are dragged to court, they will be required to identify their accomplices.
As a human rights defender and currently a board member of ELECAM, Tambe Tiku is known for his smartness, outspokenness, professionalism, generosity, diligence, and decency. He has been a vocal advocate for human rights in Cameroon, particularly in the South West Region.
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