Across Cameroon, the rise of mob justice has sparked growing concern, as communities increasingly take the law into their own hands.
In recent years, reports of violent lynchings, stonings, and public beatings have become disturbingly frequent, highlighting deep-seated frustration with the judicial system.
Historically, suspected criminals were handed over to police or gendarmerie brigades, allowing due process to follow its course through the courts.
Today, however, many Cameroonians bypass formal channels entirely, resorting to extreme measures, often with lethal consequences.
The tragic case of five bandits set on fire in Douala’s PK 8 neighbourhood serves as a stark example of this trend.
Entrepreneur Hyppolite K. attributes the rise of mob justice to systemic failures within law enforcement and the judiciary.
“When you catch a bandit with all the evidence, and you hand him over to the authorities, sometimes a few hours or days later, the same person is free and even bold enough to threaten you,” he said.
“The population feels abandoned and loses trust in our FMO and judicial authorities, which explains the growing number of lynchings.”
Student Félicité G. highlighted the emotional drivers behind the phenomenon. “If you’ve ever been the victim of assault, robbery, or worse, and see the culprit roaming free or taunting you, it cultivates a spirit of revenge,” she said.
“We see this across cities and rural areas alike.” She also pointed to structural issues, noting that high unemployment and widespread economic precarity feed public frustration and vigilantism.
Church elder Philippe O. condemned the violence while calling for systemic reform.
“As a Christian, I strongly condemn mob justice. Even when someone is caught stealing, they deserve proper punishment, not a public execution,” he said.
He urged law enforcement and judicial agents to perform their duties diligently, warning that continued bloodshed could allow opportunistic individuals to exploit mob mentality to settle personal scores.
“Once a crowd targets someone, it’s often too late. The alleged thief might be innocent, yet already dead,” he added. Calls for a renewed commitment to law enforcement, judicial accountability, and community education are growing urgent, as Cameroon confronts the human and social costs of extrajudicial vengeance.
The phenomenon underscores a broader crisis of trust in institutions, challenging authorities to restore confidence before the cycle of violence escalates further.
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