Vitalis Epie Mbong, a 35-year-old welder, has been arrested in connection with the murder of 23-year-old Limbe-based hairdresser Asongafac Barbara. Barbara was killed on Sunday, September 1, 2024, in the Makoka neighbourhood of Limbe. Mbong reportedly confessed to the crime on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, in the presence of Fako Company Commander Captain Atouba Justin Alex.
Reconstruction of the Crime Scene
Mbong demonstrated how he allegedly killed Barbara in a crime scene reenactment that the State Counsel of Limbe, Magistrate Mbah Aurélien, approved. According to his account, the events unfolded on the evening of September 1 when he encountered Barbara in Downbeach, Limbe. After spending time together at the beach, they agreed on an intimate relationship, for which Mbong promised to pay her 25,000 CFA francs.
“On the evening of September 1, 2024, around 8 p.m., he met Miss Barbara, aged 23, who had just missed an appointment in Down Beach. Inviting her to drink, they went to a bakery in New Town. During their conversation over several glasses of alcohol, he invited the young lady to his home located in New Town, a place called Makoka. Also, he offered her the sum of 25,000 CFA francs in case they had an intimate relationship,” Captain Atouba said.
According to the suspect, they arrived at his home around 10 p.m., and the relationship was reportedly consensual. However, instead of paying the agreed 25,000 CFA francs, Mbong allegedly gave Barbara only 5,000 CFA francs, sparking an argument. The disagreement quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
Attempt to Conceal the Crime
During the fight, Mbong claimed his phone shattered, and in his anger, he physically assaulted Barbara. He then reportedly lost consciousness. When he awoke around 11 p.m., he found that Barbara had died. In a further attempt to conceal the crime, Mbong allegedly dragged her body by her dreadlocks to a nearby stream, about 30 meters from his home, and disposed of it there.
Barbara’s body was discovered on Tuesday, September 2, in an advanced state of decomposition. Following the discovery, the Fako Gendarmerie Company conducted random arrests in the area where the body was found. Investigators traced Barbara’s phone to a repair shop, where Mbong had reportedly attempted to erase its contents to cover his tracks.
Ongoing Investigation
Mbong is currently cooperating with authorities as they work to determine the exact cause of Barbara’s death. Meanwhile, her remains have been deposited at the Limbe Regional Hospital mortuary, pending an autopsy. The family is expected to take possession of the body after the examination is complete.
This is just one of many cases of intimate partner violence, which has been on the rise in Cameroon
