Cameroon Soldiers Accused of Abusing Schoolgirls in Lassin: Parents Demand Justice

In Lassin, Noni Subdivision, residents say the very soldiers deployed to protect them amid the Anglophone conflict are instead violating their children. According to a petition submitted to Noni Divisional Officer Arrey Achere Obenafa, soldiers stationed at Saint Joseph Catholic Comprehensive College Lassin (SAJOCCCOL) are accused of sexually abusing schoolgirls aged 14 to 17.

The letter — signed by the Fon of Lassin, school administrators, and parents — describes “sexual predators” masquerading as state protectors.

“It is with great dissatisfaction that we file this complaint with your high office about the forces of law and order in our locality here in Lassin,”
the community wrote.

“They use our children for their sexual gratification”

Residents say they initially felt reassured when soldiers were deployed to secure the school. That trust has now turned into fear.

“The forces of law put in charge of us here have turned against our students, daughters, and children. They use our children for their sexual gratification… The real issue here is that all the children concerned are minors below the ages of 18 and even 16 years.”

Parents explain that some children were moved to boarding schools for protection, only for soldiers to follow them there.

“Still, they have not stopped their activities with the children,” the parents added.

“Our schools have been debased”

Parents say the abuse is not only physical — it is tearing families apart.

“Our schools have been debased by sexual immorality, and sexual scandal is no longer a crime for minors, caused by our army here in Lassin.”

Parents say they have tried handling issues quietly — but the abuse continues. They believe the Divisional Officer has the power to intervene.

“We, the signatories of this letter, look forward to seeing measures taken against the perpetrators of these atrocities. We think they should be handled accordingly as per the law of Cameroon National Educational Guidelines No. 93/004 of 1998 on protection, especially of minors from sexual abuse.”

They also indicated that the law includes provisions for aggravated rape, which is treated more severely because the victim is a minor. The penal code clearly states that any person below 18 years of age is a child. “The concern here is that they are all below this age, and we think, according to Law No. 2017/012 of 12 July 2017 to lay down the Code of Military Justice, section 9 ties in very well with this crime and should be handled with a lot of care,” the Lassin people added.

It is not just the rape accusations or the incitement of children against parents; the military is also accused of destroying village property. “The brutality took a different turn in the last weeks as one of these military officers came to the market and set the benches and seats of the market men and women ablaze and threatened anyone who comes out to talk.” They are begging for an immediate reaction to resolve the matter before it escalates.

The soldiers are also accused of market destruction and intimidation:

Residents fear further violence if authorities do not act.

Soldiers accused by name

In the appeal letter, the parents listed the names of the victims and those of the accused officers. For professional reasons, we are not publishing the names of the victims, who are aged 14, 15, 16, and 17. The accused officers are Balmine (Kalash), Belsula, Balbalza (Junior), and Eric (Emuna).

Expert Reaction

A human rights advocate in Bamenda told MMI:

“Rape of minors is a war crime under international humanitarian law. If these allegations are confirmed, command responsibility will apply. Silence is complicity.”

A local lawyer added:

“The state must ensure protection from those acting in its name. There must be arrests, prosecution, and reparation for victims.”

“Who protects our daughters?”

Parents say their children are traumatized and afraid to speak out publicly.

One parent told MMI:

“We entrusted our children’s safety to the state — now the state must answer. Who will protect our daughters if the soldiers are the danger?”

Call for Official Response

MMI has reached out to:

• Cameroon Ministry of Defence
• Senior Military Command for the Northwest Region
• Divisional Officer of Noni

No response had been provided at press time.

We urgently invite the above authorities to respond to these serious allegations.

MMI News