The killing of Journalist Arsene Salomon Mbani Zogo who went by name Martinez Zogo in his program Embouteillage aired on amplitude FM, a radio channel based in Yaounde has caused outrage in Cameroon, leaving many wondering how such a thing could have happened.
Thousands have since his death been pouring out tributes to the outspoken critic of the Government and condemning the act. According to news agencies, his corpse was found in a decomposed state on the outskirts of Yaounde.
What Happened?
Zogo, the director of Radio Amplitude, was kidnapped on January 17. His body was found four days later, on January 21.
“’His body was found in (a state of) advanced decomposition and visibly tortured” in an area called Ebogo 3, in central Cameroon, Paul Chouta, a journalist with the online newspaper TGV de l’Info, told IPI.
According to Boris Berthold a famous blogger, Martinez Zogo was abducted by a Prado Car rented from Douala. Footage from surveillance cameras show that once he was abducted, he was taken to soa, a locality in the outskirts of Yaounde, and few days later his body was found in a decomposing state.
Few days before he was kidnapped, Neighbors had seen unidentified men outside Zogo’s home, and the brakes on the journalist’s wife’s vehicle were recently tampered with, according to reports, which resulted in an accident two days before her husband’s disappearance.
There are however two key questions for investigation.
Who owned the Prado car used in kidnapping Martinez Zogo?
Why was he kidnapped just few days after talking on the air about a case of embezzlement allegedly involving some top personalities?
These will be among the issues to be considered by the police when carrying out investigations.
Why would someone want to kill Martinez Zogo?
As an outspoken critic of the Government, Zogo had many enemies. Before he was killed, he faced possible Sedition Charges and his radio channel had been banned several times.
News about his killing have been flying around with various figures calling press conferences to air their theories.
Reactions from Cameroonians.
Since the news of his death started circulating on various social media platforms, several journalists, trade unions have been demanding for investigations to be opened.
The Federation of Newspapers Editors of Cameroon FEDIPRESSE accused the government of committing the act, which they described as “WildWest”
“FEDIPRESSE holds the Cameroonian Government, it’s judiciary and Parliament responsible for this “Wild West” atmosphere, which no longer leaves room for respect of the law, protection of basic human rights and the exercise of the mist basic freedom.”
They however promised that a delegation will meet the Minister of Communication and authorities in charge of security.
The United Social Democratic Party on her part, called on Cameroonians to mobilize for Frank dialogue.
“USDP calls and believe that sincere mobilization for Frank dialogue, without any hijacking for political ulterior motives by ruling party is essential”.