YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — May 13, 2025: The city of Yaoundé reels in shock after a Cameroon boy was stabbed to death in his home, following a violent dispute between two neighbors. The tragic killing of six-year-old Mathis has triggered widespread outrage, both on the streets and online, with many demanding swift justice for the young victim.
Dispute at Bar Turns Deadly for Cameroon Boy
The incident began at a local bar in the Ngoa-Ekelle neighborhood. Paulin, the victim’s father, got into a heated argument with his neighbor, Mr. Nwafo, also known in the neighborhood as “Blake.” Witnesses claim Paulin struck Nwafo with a glass during the fight. Though bystanders intervened and broke up the altercation, Nwafo reportedly threatened retaliation, promising to “strike where it would hurt most.”
Fueled by rage, Nwafo went home, grabbed a knife, and stormed Paulin’s residence. He encountered Mathis and his siblings inside. The older brother ran upon seeing the weapon, but Mathis, unaware of the danger, remained. Nwafo stabbed the boy first in the arm. When Mathis didn’t fall, he plunged the knife into the child’s throat.
Mathis tried to flee and reach his mother’s nearby store but collapsed before getting help. Medical workers at the military hospital attempted to save him, but the child died from his injuries. This horrifying act left Yaoundé stunned, as the news of a Cameroon boy stabbed by a neighbor spread rapidly.
Public Links Rap Artist Lydol to the Stabbing
The attacker’s identity caused even greater stir when the public learned he is the father of rapper/poet Lydol. As the story gained momentum, pressure mounted on her to respond. From Saturday to Monday, she remained silent, only sharing updates related to her concerts. On Monday, she broke her silence with a tearful video posted online.
“My father committed a tragic and irreparable act,” she said. “I didn’t witness it, but as his daughter, my name has become attached to this unbearable grief. I condemn all violence, no matter the cause.”
Her emotional response brought a mix of sympathy and criticism. While many understood her shock, others questioned why she took so long to address the tragedy. The connection between the artist and the killer created tension, especially on social media, where users debated her responsibility and image.
Who Is Lydol? A Voice Now Surrounded by Tragedy
Lydol, born Reine Nya Nguéa, is one of Cameroon’s most respected slam poets. Known for her poetic activism, she has addressed issues like identity, education, and gender rights through her performances. Before this incident, she was actively promoting new performances across Francophone Africa.
Her father’s crime has now thrust her into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Despite the backlash, many fellow artists, including Charlotte Dipanda, Maahlox, Cysoul, Sandrine Nnanga, and Koppo, expressed solidarity with her while calling for justice for Mathis.
The Cameroon boy stabbed in Yaoundé reflects a broader and troubling trend. Violence against children often goes unpunished in Cameroon. In 2021, a gendarme fatally shot a five-year-old girl in Buea. In 2020, gunmen attacked a school in Kumba, killing several students. Despite public protests and outrage, many perpetrators faced minimal consequences.
Corruption within Cameroon’s legal and political system continues to hinder justice. Victims’ families often see cases buried or delayed indefinitely, especially when the accused have influence or connections.
As Yaoundé mourns the life of a child lost too soon, citizens question whether justice will prevail. Many fear that like other victims before him, Mathis may become another name forgotten in a flawed system. The Cameroon boy stabbed during a neighbor dispute now represents both a personal tragedy and a national crisis.
Without legal accountability and reform, such acts of violence will likely continue. Mathis’s death has united many voices, from the streets of Yaoundé to social platforms, all demanding one thing: Justice for Mathis.
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