Claim: Police Officers in Buea are arresting civilians with or without ID cards, and demand for bail.

Verdict: Verified. Inquiries reveal police officers do not only arrest civilians but they harass boys especially based on appearance.

A serious problem of police brutality and corruption plagues Buea, Cameroon, and affects many young men in the city. Some police officers arrest and extort young men, abusing their authority and often ignoring whether they have identification documents or not. This trend worries the inhabitants of Buea, who feel vulnerable and helpless against these police excesses.

The constant arrest of young boys as a means to acquire bail money is a growing concern. This has become a standard operating procedure for some police officers, who view it as an easy way to make some extra cash for themselves at the expense of the innocent.

In addition to this scheme, Cameroon Check found out that young men are subject to harassment by some police officers. The officers forcefully search their phones and accuse them of criminal activity without any proper justification. If they drive, the officers ask them to bribe or risk impounding their vehicle.

Victim Recant his odeal

One of the most recent victims of this injustice told Cameroon Check his story:

“Police officers in Muea moving in their white Hilux in some strategic areas arresting youths and taking them to the station with ID card or not, and collecting money from them. I have been a victim. I came to the pharmacy to buy drugs just beside my house. They stopped me and asked for my ID, which was in the house. My brother saw them and rushed with my ID when we were still at that spot, they refused to even look at it, but insisted he should come with the ID to the station. Upon reaching the station, we were already behind bars and they told him it’s now a matter of bail”