Renowned human rights lawyer and activist, Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, has raised alarm over the kidnapping of five children in Zigague, in Cameroon’s Far North Region, describing the incident as a “crime against humanity” that demands urgent response from both national authorities and international partners.
The abduction, reportedly carried out by armed groups operating in the region, has once again cast a spotlight on the growing insecurity that has gripped communities in the Far North, where families continue to live under the shadow of violence and fear.
In a strongly worded statement issued on August 20, Barrister Agbor Balla founder and president of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) expressed deep sadness at what he termed a “heinous act,” stressing that children, being the most vulnerable members of society, should never be subjected to such brutal violations.
“Children are our most vulnerable, and their abduction for ransom or political manipulation is an inexcusable crime,” Balla declared. “The anguish of the families waiting for the safe return of their children cannot be overstated.”
The outspoken advocate called on the Cameroonian government to shoulder its primary duty of protecting citizens, particularly women and children, by acting urgently to secure the safe release of the abducted minors. He outlined four urgent steps he believes should guide the state’s response: immediate security intervention, humanitarian and psychosocial support for the affected families, accountability measures to address lapses that enabled the crime, and stronger collaboration with international partners such as the African Union and the United Nations.
“The silence of institutions or delays in action would amount to complicity,” Balla warned, urging civil society, international organizations, and ordinary Cameroonians to stand together in demanding justice and security.
The kidnapping in Zigague is the latest in a troubling trend of abductions in Cameroon’s Far North, where armed groups linked to Boko Haram and other extremist factions have long targeted civilians for ransom, recruitment, or as part of a wider campaign of terror. Local communities remain under threat despite repeated government operations and counter-insurgency campaigns.
Barrister Agbor Balla’s intervention reflects his longstanding commitment to human rights advocacy. Known both in Cameroon and internationally for his defense of civil liberties, Balla has consistently used his platform to denounce abuses and push for accountability. As president of CHRDA, he has documented rights violations across Cameroon, including those linked to the Anglophone crisis, while promoting dialogue, justice, and rule of law.
His latest statement underscores not only the gravity of the Zigague kidnappings but also the broader insecurity that continues to destabilize Cameroon’s northern regions. For Balla, the abduction of five children is not just an isolated crime but a test of the government’s willingness and ability to protect its citizens from terror and lawlessness.
“No child should live under fear, and no parent should endure the pain of a missing child,” he said, calling the international community to action.
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