The City Mayor of Garoua, Goura Beladji, has firmly refuted a series of alarming social media posts alleging his involvement in acts of violence and even his own assassination.
In an official communiqué issued on Monday, October 28, 2025, the Garoua City Council condemned what it described as “deliberately fabricated false information” designed to tarnish the mayor’s reputation and sow confusion among the population.
The rumours, which circulated widely on Facebook and other platforms, claimed alternately that the mayor had shot and killed two young men at his residence before fleeing, and that he himself had been killed by two armed assailants. Both narratives, according to the city’s official statement, are “totally unfounded and devoid of any element of truth.”
“It is clear that these messages are fake news created with the deliberate intention of damaging the honour of the Mayor, discrediting the municipal institution, and disturbing public order,” the communiqué stated.
Attack on the Mayor’s Residence
The statement further clarified that, following the October 12 presidential election results, Mayor Goura Beladji was indeed the victim of a violent attack at his residence in the Poukouloukou neighbourhood. Another of his homes, located in Takasko, was reportedly set ablaze by unidentified assailants.
The mayor was rescued “just in time” by security forces, according to the communiqué. Authorities have launched an investigation to apprehend those responsible. The statement emphasized, however, that these events bear no connection to the rumours circulating online.
A Call for Responsibility and Peace
In the face of these developments, Mayor Beladji reaffirmed his commitment to peace, justice, and public service, assuring citizens of his continued presence and dedication to Garoua’s development.
“The Mayor of Garoua remains calm, fully engaged in serving the people, and continues to act at all times in strict respect of the laws of the Republic,” the statement emphasized.
The Garoua City Council strongly condemned the propagation of misinformation, urging citizens to exercise vigilance and verify sources before sharing content on social media. The communiqué called on all residents to uphold a sense of civic responsibility and avoid amplifying baseless rumours that could endanger public stability.
Context and Reactions
The spread of false information in the aftermath of electoral periods is not new in Cameroon, where social media platforms have become both tools of expression and vectors of misinformation. The Garoua case underscores the challenges faced by local authorities in managing digital narratives that can escalate tensions.
Mayor Goura Beladji, meanwhile, has called on the people of Garoua to stand united around truth, peace, and the harmonious development of their city.
“Our commitment to serve the people remains unshaken. No lie or provocation will divert us from the path of peace and progress,” he reportedly affirmed.
Note:
Contrary to reports circulating that Laarry Times reported on the demise of the City Mayor, we want to distance ourselves from such information and state categorically that the information circulating is fake.
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