Yaounde: Thirteen foreign nationals from Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been rescued following the dismantling of a human trafficking network by the Cameroonian gendarmerie in Yaound©. This operation, carried out on March 19, 2025, resulted in the arrest of three suspects.

According to Cameroon News Agency, among the victims were seven young individuals from Madagascar and six nationals from the DRC, who were held captive in a private residence located in the Nkomo neighborhood of Yaounde.

The victims were lured by enticing job offers advertised on social media, which promised a bright professional future in Cameroon. Believing in these opportunities, they traveled to Cameroon; the Malagasy individuals flew to Cameroon, while the Congolese travelled by land. Authorities revealed that some victims had been in captivity since October 2024.

After enduring a prolonged period of captivity and losing hope of securing well-paid jobs, the victims confided in a human rights organization. Investigations led to the identification and location of the house where they were being held. Remarkably, neighboring residents were completely unaware that such illegal activities were going on in the building.

Upon their release, the 13 victims were taken to a military medical center for treatment.

Meanwhile, other Malagasy nationals were set to arrive in Yaound© today, March 24, and could have fallen victim to this network. The Cameroonian gendarmerie has emphasized the need for vigilance regarding online job offers.

This intervention highlights a troubling criminal trend that exploits the vulnerabilities of young Africans seeking economic opportunities across the continent.