Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
Cameroonian authorities have rescued 18 children who were being held captive inside a private residence in the Essos neighbourhood of the capital, Yaoundé, in an operation that has sent shockwaves across the Central African nation. The children, some as young as 18 months old, were discovered on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following an anonymous tip-off that led police to a building that neighbours described as an impenetrable fortress.
The investigation was triggered when one of the children managed to escape from the residence located on Rue Belibi in the IVth arrondissement of Yaoundé and alerted local residents. The residents subsequently notified law enforcement, prompting an immediate response from both gendarmerie and police forces. Upon arrival, officers were confronted with a building that had been deliberately transformed into a maximum-security prison. According to reports from Cameroon Tribune, the ground floor had no windows, the first-floor balcony was barricaded with corrugated iron sheets, and the metal gates bore the words "vehicle exit". To gain entry, security forces had to breach the perimeter wall and smash through doors and windows.
Local media reports indicate that approximately 15 minors, all girls aged between two and 15, were found inside the residence, along with two adult women. However, the Ministry of Social Affairs, in a statement released on Friday, confirmed the discovery of 18 children, aligning with other media reports. One source described the children as "emaciated, frightened, and uncommunicative". The adults found with them, aged between 25 and 40, reportedly could not speak French and were unable to identify the children in their care or explain their origins.
The residence, located in the Essos district, had apparently operated as a clandestine detention centre for at least two years. A local resident, speaking to AllAfrica, described the building's transformation into a "fortress". The once-familiar elderly woman who owned the property became scarce, and when children were occasionally seen leaving, they were always wearing hoods to hide their faces. The neighbour revealed that a new tenant had taken over the entire building about two years ago, after which it was heavily renovated with a focus on security. "The gate only opens to let someone in or out, and is immediately closed again," the witness said. Police discovered the building's interior was not just a prison but a well-stocked bunker, with dozens of pallets of mineral water, tubers, cartons of food, and freezers full of prepared meals, suggesting the children were being held for a prolonged period.
The discovery has triggered a swift and robust response from the Cameroonian government. The Ministry of Social Affairs stated that it has taken the "necessary measures to ensure the children's safety, protection, and psychosocial care". Minister Pauline Irène Nguene condemned all acts likely to harm the physical and moral integrity of children and called on the public for collective responsibility in protecting minors. The government has also appealed to citizens with information on missing or vulnerable children to report it to the ministry's toll-free number, 1503.
A full judicial investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances that led to the children being held in the residence and to establish responsibility. Sub-prefect Elvis Akondi, who visited the scene, confirmed that three individuals have been taken to the central police station of Yaoundé IV. Nine other suspects have been taken to the General Delegation for National Security (DGSN) for further questioning. While authorities have not officially established whether the case involves child trafficking or exploitation, the investigation is ongoing.
The rescue operation has left the community of Essos in a state of shock and has raised troubling questions about how such a large-scale captivity could have gone unnoticed for years in a busy residential area. As the children begin to receive medical and psychological care, the nation awaits answers, hoping that this case will lead to stronger protections for the country's most vulnerable citizens and that those responsible will be brought to justice.
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