By Mbah Godlove
Molyko, a neighbourhood that hosts the University of Buea, is witnessing a troubling rise in insecurity, leaving students gripped by fear and uncertainty. Many residents say it has become increasingly unsafe to move around the area after 6:00 p.m., particularly within enclosed neighbourhoods where cases of harassment and kidnapping for ransom are reportedly on the rise.
According to students, kidnappers often disguise themselves as freedom fighters, while security forces also carry out frequent arrests under the pretext of “kale kale” operations. These overlapping threats have created a climate of confusion and fear, with students unsure of who to trust or how to stay safe. As a result, many now avoid leaving their rooms, even for group study sessions with neighbours.
A recent incident that heightened anxiety involved the abduction of two University of Buea students who were returning home after a long day of examinations. The victims were later released after their families reportedly paid a ransom. Such incidents, students say, are becoming increasingly common and are taking a heavy emotional and psychological toll on the academic community.
In addition to kidnappings, students report near-daily arrests carried out by security forces in the evenings. Dozens of individuals—most of them students—are allegedly detained and later asked to pay sums ranging from 50,000 francs to secure their release. These actions have further deepened mistrust and heightened panic among residents.
The prevailing atmosphere of fear is evident across Molyko. “I live around the Catholic Church area, and many students here have fallen into the hands of armed groups,” one student recounted. “It is not safe at all. We are only surviving by the grace of God.”
As insecurity continues to worsen, students and residents alike are calling for urgent and effective measures to restore safety in Molyko. Many warn that without swift intervention, the situation could spiral further out of control, severely disrupting academic life and endangering lives.
