The Association for Environmental Protection, Development and Civic Awareness (FEPDCA) presents this report to document an incident that occurred on 28 August 2026 at a family farm located in Upper Bokova Village, along the road leading to Bokulu Village, South-West Region, Cameroon.

The incident involved the apprehension of two persons suspected of removing agricultural produce from the farm. The incident was documented through photographs and an audio-visual recording, and the persons were subsequently handed over to the Police for further investigation and appropriate action.

The family farm is located in Upper Bokova Village, along the road leading towards Bokulu. The farm contains agricultural produce, including plantains.

On 28 August 2026, at approximately 12:00 noon, two persons were apprehended at or around the farm in circumstances relating to the removal of plantains. At the time of the intervention, six (6) bunches of plantains were involved and were documented as part of the incident.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT

At approximately 12:00 noon on 28 August 2026, two persons were apprehended at the family farm in Upper Bokova Village.

The persons were suspected of having harvested and removed six (6) bunches of plantains from a farm.

Following their apprehension, a preliminary fact-finding exercise was conducted at the scene. During this exercise, questions were put to the persons concerning the circumstances surrounding the plantains and their presence at the location.

According to the account available to the reporting party, the persons stated during the recorded questioning that they had harvested the plantains from another person's farm.

The circumstances were documented through photographs. An audio-visual recording of the questioning and statements made during the exercise was also obtained and preserved.

ACTION TAKEN

Following the preliminary fact-finding exercise, the two persons were handed over to the Central Market Police Station, located on the road towards Muea, for further investigation and appropriate action in accordance with the law.

The recovered/presented plantains were also associated with the matter when it was referred to the Police.

FEPDCA's intervention was limited to documenting the incident, conducting preliminary fact-finding, and facilitating referral to the competent law-enforcement authorities. No final determination of criminal responsibility was made by FEPDCA.

ROLE OF FEPDCA

The intervention is consistent with FEPDCA's broader objectives of promoting environmental protection, civic awareness, responsible community participation, and respect for the rule of law.

In responding to the incident, the approach adopted was to:

1. Document the circumstances surrounding the alleged removal of the farm produce.
2. Conduct preliminary fact-finding at the scene.
3. Preserve available photographic and audio-visual evidence.
4. Refer the matter to the competent law-enforcement authorities.
5. Avoid taking the place of the Police or judicial authorities in determining criminal responsibility.

EVIDENCE AVAILABLE

A. Photographic evidence: Photographs were taken during the intervention showing the persons apprehended, the recovered farm produce, and the circumstances at the scene.

B. Audio-visual recording: An audio-visual recording was made during the preliminary questioning. According to the reporting party, the recording contains statements by the apprehended persons concerning the harvesting of the plantains from another person's farm. The original recording has been retained and may be made available to the competent authorities where required.

C. Recovered agricultural produce: Six (6) bunches of plantains were identified in connection with the incident and documented.

D. Police referral: The two persons were handed over to Central Market Police Station, road towards Muea, for further investigation.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND PROCEDURAL CONSIDERATIONS

FEPDCA recognises the importance of respecting the rights and dignity of all persons involved in any incident, including persons suspected of wrongdoing.

Accordingly, the persons involved are described in this report as suspected persons/apprehended persons and not as persons whose guilt has been judicially established.

The purpose of the preliminary questioning was to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and facilitate referral to the competent authorities. The determination of criminal responsibility remains a matter for the appropriate law-enforcement and judicial authorities.

OBSERVATIONS

The incident highlights the importance of protecting agricultural property and ensuring that allegations concerning the unlawful removal of farm produce are properly documented and referred to the competent authorities.

The availability of photographs and an audio-visual recording provides additional documentation that may assist the authorities in their investigation.

The referral of the matter to the Police was therefore considered appropriate to ensure that the incident could be handled through the established legal and institutional channels.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Proper investigation of the circumstances surrounding the alleged removal of the six bunches of plantains.

2. Preservation and review of the available photographic and audio-visual evidence by the competent authorities.

3. Appropriate legal action where the investigation establishes that an offence has been committed.

4. Increased community awareness concerning the protection of agricultural property and respect for the property rights of farmers.

5. Strengthened collaboration between community members, farmers, civic organisations and law-enforcement authorities in addressing incidents affecting agricultural property.

6. Continued documentation of similar incidents in a manner consistent with human-rights principles and the rule of law.

CONCLUSION

On 28 August 2026, at approximately 12:00 noon, two persons were apprehended at a family farm in Upper Bokova Village, along the road leading to Bokulu Village, in connection with the alleged removal of six (6) bunches of plantains.

A preliminary fact-finding exercise was conducted, during which the circumstances surrounding the plantains were discussed with the apprehended persons. Photographs and an audio-visual recording were obtained as part of the documentation of the incident.

The two persons were subsequently handed over to the Central Market Police Station, road towards Muea, for further investigation and appropriate action.

FEPDCA submits this report as a factual record of the incident and the actions taken, while recognising that any determination of criminal responsibility rests with the competent authorities.