Man Arrested for Sodomizing Girlfriend’s Toddler in Cameroon

The details of the unspeakable atrocities inflicted upon the child are too distressing to recount. The accused, Mr. Malle, now in police custody, stands accused of sexually assaulting the 2-year-old child of his girlfriend, who was not at home at the time of the incident. The child’s aunt, who lives in the same compound, heard the child’s cries and rushed to the scene, where she found Mr. Malle with his pants down and the child bleeding profusely.

The aunt immediately alerted the neighbors, who helped her take the child to the hospital and apprehend Mr. Malle. The police were notified and arrived at the scene shortly after. Mr. Malle was taken to the Nkolbisson police station, where he is being held pending further investigation.{loadmoduleid 377}

The young victim, whose name and gender are being withheld to protect their privacy, underwent a surgical procedure on Sunday morning at the District Hospital in Cité Verte to repair the damage caused by the assault. The child’s condition is stable but critical, according to the hospital’s spokesperson. The child’s mother, who was away on a business trip, returned to Yaounde on Sunday afternoon and was reunited with her child at the hospital.

Numerous testimonies brand Mr. Malle as a dangerous predator, leaving a trail of victims in his wake. Several women have come forward to accuse him of raping or molesting them or their children in the past, but none of them reported him to the authorities for fear of reprisal or stigma. Mr. Malle, who works as a taxi driver, is also suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

As the justice system takes its course, the alleged pedophile remains in custody at the Nkolbisson police station. This incident sheds light on the imperative need for collective efforts to protect the vulnerable and prosecute those responsible for such abhorrent crimes. The public outcry over the case has sparked a social media campaign under the hashtags #JusticeForVictims, #ChildProtection, #RocheMalleArrest, and #EndChildAbuse, calling for swift and severe punishment for Mr. Malle and other perpetrators of child abuse.

The government of Cameroon has not yet issued an official statement on the case, but sources close to the presidency say that President Paul Biya is aware of the situation and has ordered a thorough investigation. The Ministry of Social Affairs, which is in charge of child welfare, has also promised to provide support and assistance to the young victim and their family.

Child abuse is a pervasive and underreported problem in Cameroon, where cultural norms, poverty, and lack of awareness often prevent victims from seeking help or justice. According to a 2019 report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), one in four children in Cameroon experience some form of violence, abuse, or exploitation before the age of 18. The report also highlighted the need for stronger legal and institutional frameworks to prevent and respond to child abuse, as well as increased public education and awareness on the issue.{loadmoduleid 378}