By Tata Mbunwe
Brenda Biya has described drug abuse as the devil’s weapon against people, cautioning young people against drug addiction, which she says has ruined her life and is now threatening to make her blind.
In videos shared online, President Paul Biya’s daughter said she is experiencing serious problems with her eyesight, which she associated with her drug use. She also said her mother, Chantal Biya, is aware of her struggle with addiction and has been praying for her but “can’t do anything” about it.
“Do your best to train your body to remain sober at all times, because you never know what you are getting yourself into. The way the devil enters people’s lives and brings them misfortune is through drugs,” Brenda Biya said.
“I smoked the devil’s drug and opened a door that I can no longer close,” she continued, adding that she was “being forced to pay by giving up my eyesight.”
She said she has now turned to Jesus Christ, whom she believes can rescue her from her situation.
Brenda Biya has previously spoken publicly about what she described as attacks by evil spirits and alleged mistreatment by her family, remarks that have drawn mixed reactions from Cameroonians.
Her latest outing comes amid continued public attention on her personal struggles and her father’s prolonged absence from the country. Her comments have also offered a rare glimpse into her reported battle with drug addiction.
“I am telling you this because I smoked the drug that brought the devil into my home. It made him angry, and now he is punishing me by taking away my sight,” she said.
“But in the name of Jesus, I don’t want to become blind. Because God is stronger than this man, and I have already called upon God. I had planned to flee, but anyway, I am telling you this: please, don’t do drugs. Avoid drugs. Drugs are Satan’s weapon for destroying people.”
Her revelations come amid growing concern over drug abuse in Cameroonian communities, particularly in parts of the South West Region, where the ongoing armed conflict, unemployment and idleness have been cited among factors contributing to substance abuse among a growing number of young people.
Some communities have responded by confronting suspected drug traffickers and users, including raiding alleged drug hideouts and handing suspects over to the police.
Drug abuse has often been framed as stemming from the desperation and social disruption caused by the prolonged conflict in the English-speaking regions, as well as unemployment and lack of opportunities.
But Brenda Biya’s public disclosure shows factors deeper than poverty and unemployment fuel drug abuse.