Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, recently chaired a security meeting in Yaoundé to address growing concerns over crime in the Centre Region. The meeting, held at the Yaoundé City Hall, brought together key officials, including the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Béa, and the Yaoundé City Mayor. According to Minister Atanga Nji, the meeting was convened in response to reports submitted to the country’s top leadership, including President Paul Biya, highlighting the need for a comprehensive security assessment.
The Centre Region was described as relatively calm, but Minister Atanga Nji expressed concern over several security challenges affecting residents. These include increasing cases of urban and inter-urban crime, recurrent femicide, assaults in taxis and private residences, armed robbery, aggravated theft, organised criminal activity, and targeted killings. Additionally, drug trafficking and fatal road accidents involving commercial motorbike riders were identified as major concerns. The minister commended law enforcement agencies for their promptness and professionalism in tackling criminal activity.
Minister Atanga Nji urged inhabitants to support the authorities by providing information that could help identify offenders and prevent crime. He stated that protecting lives and property requires cooperation between administrative authorities, security forces, and the public. The minister also called on residents to report suspicious activities and provide useful information to law enforcement agencies, particularly concerning armed robbery and other serious offences.
To improve public safety, the government will implement tighter controls for commercial motorbike riders and city taxi operators. Minister Paul Atanga Nji announced that motorcycles should not be sold without registration plates, and the registration process launched in 2023 would be intensified. City taxi operators will also be required to display their identification badges, in line with measures initiated by the Yaoundé City Mayor.
The measures are intended to improve the identification and traceability of commercial transport operators, reduce opportunities for criminal activity, and strengthen public safety. This is particularly crucial in Mfoundi Division, which hosts the country’s republican institutions. By enhancing security and enforcing existing regulations, authorities aim to preserve public order and improve the protection of inhabitants and their property.
Minister Atanga Nji emphasized that the sovereign mission of the State is to protect persons and their property. He called on the population to cooperate fully with the forces of law and order to expose highway robbers and other offenders. The government’s efforts to address crime and improve security have been commended, and residents are urged to support these initiatives.
The security meeting was the first such assessment since the October 2025 presidential election. Minister Atanga Nji’s efforts to address crime and improve security in the Centre Region are ongoing, with a focus on collaboration between authorities, security forces, and the public. The government’s commitment to ensuring public safety and protecting lives and property remains a top priority.
Key points
- The Centre Region of Cameroon is implementing tighter controls for commercial motorbike riders and city taxi operators to improve public safety.
- Minister Atanga Nji urged inhabitants to support the authorities by providing information that could help identify offenders and prevent crime.
- The security measures aim to address rising urban crime, femicide, and other safety concerns in the Centre Region.
