YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon (ABS News) — A 29-year-old Cameroonian soldier was arrested inside the grounds of the Unity Palace in Yaoundé’s Etoudi district on Wednesday after allegedly declaring he had come to seize power, according to an incident report attributed to the Etoudi security brigade.
The soldier, identified as Ntsama Biting Benoît and assigned to the CAT-BIR, a unit linked to Cameroon’s Rapid Intervention Battalion, was intercepted inside the palace compound on the afternoon of Sept. 16, the report said. He holds service number T17 32806.
According to the document, Ntsama Biting Benoît was found inside the presidential compound declaring he had come to “prendre le pouvoir,” or “take power.” He was escorted to the brigade by Master Principal Ntye Samuel, an officer serving with the Presidential Guard at Etoudi.
The report said a small quantity of cannabis and a lighter were found in his possession at the time of his arrest. Following the arrest, he was handed over to the regional antenna of SEMIL, a military intelligence service, for further questioning.
The account did not detail how the soldier gained access to the palace grounds, which house the official residence of President Paul Biya, or what specific circumstances led to his presence there. It also did not specify what charges, if any, he may face or when his case might proceed.
Cameroonian authorities have not issued a public statement expanding on the incident, and it was not immediately possible to independently verify additional details beyond the original report.
The arrest comes amid heightened attention to security and governance questions surrounding the 93-year-old Biya, who returned to Cameroon on Aug. 20 after a 73-day stay in Europe, the longest absence of his 44-year presidency. Nearly a year after his re-election to an eighth term, Biya has yet to name a prime minister, complete his cabinet, or fill the vice presidency, a post revived by Parliament earlier this year.
There is no indication in the available reporting that the incident is linked to any broader plot or organized effort; as described, it involves a single soldier acting alone.
This is a developing story. ABS News will update this report as more information becomes available.
