Rising rates of kidnap-for-ransom in northeastern Cameroon leave residents traumatized

Touhoulia Elie was miraculously saved. This farmer was abducted while working one morning on his field. His kidnappers then forced him to walk for days to join neighboring Chad where their rear base is located.

"When they brought me to their camp after days walking, they beat me, wounding me in the head. Some of them smoked and put out their cigarettes on my back", he recalls.

This incident has traumatized the whole community.

"Look at me now, my condition doesn't enable me go to the field anymore, we are all afraid to go there."

The rising rates of kidnappings have worried the mayor of Touboro, a town located a dozen kilometers away from Mbah-Laindé village. He came to visit Touhoulia Elie and other survivors.

"From January to today, there have been hundreds of kidnappings. And the ransoms that are paid are estimated in millions of CFA Francs, there are no precise figure", Celestin Yandal says.

"The economic fabric of our locality relies on agriculture, livestock, and trade. So, despite all these basic facilities, not everything is possible."

60 kidnapped in 3 months

If the mayor praises the building of military basis, testimonies mentioning that kidnappers operate from Chad is a source of concern.

"It is serious matter because former hostages mention a whole group of hundreds of people, who, once they've operated on the Cameroonian side in our villages, retreat to the Chadian side", he concludes.

Even though harvest period is in full swing many products are rotting in the fields. The economy of Touboro depends on the export of cattle, and farm products to Chad and The Central African Republic.

Kidnappings have disrupted everything. Many wonder who will breathe life back into these dying villages?

Some have suggested Cameroonian forces be allowed to chase the kidnappers in Chad to put an end to the phenomenon. These past three months 60 kidnappings for ransom were recorded.