Journalist Fred Vubem has regained his freedom after spending one night in captivity and three additional nights trying to reach safety. Sources familiar with the situation report that he escaped on Monday, and local farmers later found him moving through the bush. They took him to the Bambui District Hospital, but due to the severity of his condition, they transferred him to a medical facility in Bamenda, where he is currently receiving care.
Abduction in Bambui
Separatist fighters kidnapped Fred Vubem, a print journalist with Cameroun Tribune (SOPECAM), on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Mile 11 in Bambui, Tubah subdivision, in the North West Region of Cameroon. He returned from his native village, Kedjom Keku, when abductors took him.
The incident was first reported by The Observer, a local media outlet. At the time, Vubem’s whereabouts remained unknown, and no group had officially claimed responsibility for the abduction.
Reactions and Context
News of his escape broke around 2 a.m. today, offering relief to his family, friends, and colleagues, who had been anxiously awaiting updates since his disappearance. Vubem’s escape represents a rare positive development in a region plagued by ongoing insecurity and an increasing number of abductions, especially of media professionals and humanitarian workers.
A Dangerous Environment for Journalists
Fred Vubem has been working as a correspondent for Cameroun Tribune in the North West Region. Colleagues describe him as a dedicated and professional journalist. The incident underscores the risks faced by journalists in Cameroon, despite a recent improvement in the country’s global press freedom ranking.
Cameroon moved up four places in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), from 138th in 2024 to 134th out of 180 countries. However, RSF continues to describe the country as having a “difficult” environment for journalism. Cameroon remains the lowest-ranked nation in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), with frequent reports of intimidation, censorship, and arbitrary detentions.
“This small rise should not mask the reality on the ground — Cameroon continues to be one of the most dangerous countries in Africa for journalists,” RSF stated in its 2025 report.
No Official Statement Yet
As of the time of writing, there has been no official statement from authorities regarding Vubem’s kidnapping or escape. The identities and motives of the kidnappers remain unknown, and investigations are reportedly ongoing.
