A 10-month-old baby girl, Bih Irene, has been reported missing following a violent assault on her mother on Saturday, April 26, 2025. According to the distraught mother, the incident occurred at Meta Quarters in the Bamenda II subdivision as they were returning home from visiting the baby’s father.
According to the traumatised mother, a group of unidentified men ambushed them and brutally beat her until she lost consciousness. When she regained awareness, her baby had vanished.
“It all happened so fast. I tried to protect my baby, but they hit me until I passed out. She recalled the scene with tears in her eyes.
Despite a community-led search effort that has continued for five days, there has been no trace of baby Bih Irene.
Growing Fears Amid Rising Cases
The motive behind the abduction remains unknown. However, the incident is sparking renewed concern over the safety of women and children, especially in Cameroon’s conflict-affected regions. The South West and North West Regions continue to suffer from insecurity, leaving civilians vulnerable to targeted violence and criminal acts.
This case follows closely on the heels of another disturbing incident in the North West Region, where a disguised woman attempted to abduct a newborn at Nkwen District Hospital on February 28, 2024. A hospital security guard’s vigilance thwarted that attempt, prompting authorities to tighten hospital security protocols across the region.
In response to that failed hospital abduction, the North West Regional Delegate of Public Health introduced urgent reforms, including improved access control, mandatory staff identification, and infant protection protocols. However, the latest incident involving Bih Irene suggests that the threat of baby theft may be shifting beyond institutional settings and into the streets.
Call for Action
Families and advocacy groups are now calling for an urgent investigation into the abduction and broader security interventions to protect vulnerable populations. As criminal elements increasingly exploit gaps in public safety, trust in community security continues to erode.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the case of baby Bih Irene, but pressure is mounting for a swift and coordinated response to prevent future tragedies.
