The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Mfoundi division, Emmanuel Mariel Djikdent has issued a strong warning to the public, denouncing the rising trend of mob justice linked to false accusations of private organ theft. This comes in the wake of several disturbing incidents in the nation’s capital, where innocent individuals were violently attacked over unverified claims that they had stolen human sex organs.
In an official note released on Tuesday, the SDO firmly stated that investigations carried out by the national police and gendarmerie into three recent accusations have categorically disproved the allegations. According to the findings, all individuals reportedly targeted by these claims were medically examined and found to have all their organs intact. The SDO condemned what he described as “unscrupulous individuals” who have been spreading panic and inciting popular revenge by falsely accusing others.
In some reported cases, the accusers were found to have demanded financial compensation from the so-called perpetrators, pointing to a troubling trend of extortion disguised as public outrage. “These are criminal acts. Innocent citizens are being attacked, humiliated, and even killed based on lies,” the communiqué read. “This behavior cannot and will not be tolerated.” The SDO’s statement highlighted the tragic consequences of these actions, warning that any form of jungle justice, regardless of the circumstances, is a punishable offense under Cameroonian law.
He called on the public to resist mob mentality and report both false accusers and instigators to the competent authorities. This warning comes amid a broader national conversation about the dangers of misinformation, particularly through social media, where unverified reports of organ theft have spread rapidly and inflamed public emotions.As investigations continue, authorities are encouraging citizens to remain calm, to trust the legal system, and to refrain from any acts that could undermine public order or lead to unjustified violence.
Victims Claim Genitals Vanish After Brief Encounters in Public Spaces
What began as a bizarre rumor is now morphing into a disturbing social phenomenon. Several men across various neighborhoods in Yaoundé claim to have experienced the sudden loss or “disappearance” of their genitals after physical contact with strangers, often as innocent as a handshake or an exchange of money. One of the earliest and most publicized incidents occurred on Friday, May 30, in the Damas neighborhood. A young student, reportedly relieved after completing his baccalaureate exam, handed 100 CFA francs to a passerby. Moments later, he began to feel strange and then, in a panic, claimed he could no longer feel his genitals.
He quickly turned back, raised alarm, and pointed out the man who had asked for money. Passersby surrounded the alleged perpetrator and escorted him to the local gendarmerie. There, the student claimed his genitals “returned” under pressure from the crowd. A similar incident followed on June 9 at the busy Nlongkak roundabout. A cigarette vendor, after receiving cash from a client, let out a sudden cry of distress and claimed to have lost his penis “instantly.” The crowd again intervened, detaining the client and taking him to the authorities.
Miraculously, the vendor declared his genitalia had reappeared shortly after. Now, such reports are no longer isolated. In markets, public transport, and neighborhoods across Yaoundé, men are refusing handshakes and steering clear of physical contact altogether. In a city where greetings are a cornerstone of social interaction, fear is replacing familiarity. Some residents have turned to protective practices, carrying charcoal in their pockets, pinning safety pins to their clothes, and reciting prayers when approached by strangers. Videos of alleged victims and arrests, often recorded by smartphones, are flooding social media platforms, fanning the flames of anxiety.
While no medical evidence has yet been found to support these claims, the psychological impact is undeniable. Anthropologist Joseph Feuzeu attributes the panic to a complex blend of ancestral beliefs, social anxiety, and psychosomatic reactions. “In many traditions, the male sex organ is seen as a symbol of power and identity. To lose it, even symbolically, is to experience a loss of self and social worth,” he explains. “In times of uncertainty, like economic hardship or political instability, such beliefs often find fertile ground.”
Experts warn of dangerous social spiral
In a one-on-one discussion with the National Post, Dr. François Bingono Bingono, an anthropologist and cryptocommunicologist, offered deeper insight. According to him, this is not a literal disappearance but rather a spiritual or energetic attack. “What is being stolen is not the physical organ but the sexual vitality it represents,” he explains. “This suction of energy serves malevolent purposes—possibly to feed demonic forces or strengthen the power of occult practitioners.” He urges victims to seek spiritual guidance through traditional healers, religious leaders, or exorcists, and stresses that mental strength is the first line of defense. “The first remedy against witchcraft is to conquer fear.
The aggressor acts through physical contact, but only if the victim is mentally open to it.” Dr. Bingono also suggests practical methods of spiritual protection, such as wearing safety pins or carrying charcoal, as symbolic shields. However, he acknowledges that there’s little authorities can do beyond advising vigilance. “This is a hidden phenomenon. You don’t know who the attacker is or where they’ll strike next.” As from the time this article is written, no official medical report has confirmed any actual disappearance or physiological trauma linked to these events.
Nonetheless, the social repercussions are serious. Several individuals have been assaulted or detained by mobs after being accused of “stealing” genitalia. The situation has become volatile enough that government officials and security forces are on alert to prevent further violence and misinformation. In a city where a simple handshake once symbolized trust and connection, many now wonder: could a casual touch come at the cost of one’s manhood?
