Penka Michel: Outrage as boy roasted to death for allegedly stealing roofing sheets.

According to reports and other amateur videos of the incident that has gone viral across the social media, Diffo had begged in vain, insisting that his accusers should hear his side of the story and also call his parents to ascertain that he was not a thief.

He is said to have been tide with blood barely circulating in his feet, shortly before he was beaten to death and burnt to death. Reports hold that Diffo allegedly called the attention of the traditional ruler of the community, signaling that he was gradually dying as blood circulation in his body was increasingly becoming difficult.

Diffo’s request is said to have been rejected.  Some are further accusing the traditional ruler of having rather joined his subjects to mock the suspect, insisting that he had come to the end of his life.

Going by a video, making the rounds on social media, Steve, whose legs were chained while at the Chief’s palace, had pleaded: “Chief, please, blood is no longer circulating in my legs”. 

In response, the traditional ruler said: “Where you are now, you think you will go back? You will not go back. Just say your last prayers.”

Hear Steve again: “Chief, I don’t steal. Call my parents if you wish.” 

“We will not call anybody. Where you are is ok,” the Baloum traditional ruler replied.

Meanwhile, in the face of growing demand for justice, other narratives have emerged that Diffo was rather beaten to death by another angry mop after officers, whom the Baloum Chief reportedly called were escorting him.

Yet, the victim’s family is quoted as having maintained that the tragedy occurred under circumstances that placed responsibility on the traditional authority of Baloum.

 Sources within the family are quoted as having argued that Diffo ought to have been protected, when he was dragged to the Chief’s palace.

According to local radio, Radio Bansoa Université FM, Diffo and another suspect, identified as Borel, a native of Baloum, were allegedly caught dismantling roofing sheets from Saint Dominic Catholic School. Locals are said to have gotten hold of him while the other suspect, Borel, escaped.

The Radio station reported that the traditional ruler of Baloum is insisting that the crowd had been ordered to hand the suspect to competent security services for investigations.

Meanwhile, Borel, who is said to have escaped, other accounts hold, was also killed in similar circumstances further fuelling anger.

Local sources indicated that Diffo’s charred remain was later buried by some locals. In the meantime, Borel’s burnt corpse is said to have been buried the next day after dogs had started eating his remains.

Meantime, the family of Diffo is said to have written several complaints, asking judiciary and security authorities to shed light on the matter.

One of the complaints is said to be against His Majesty Noussi Pokam Charly Constant, traditional ruler of Baloum village.

According to documents circulating online, the complainants are accusing the traditional ruler of alleged murder, complicity in murder, unlawful confinement, torture, failure to assist a person in danger, destruction of evidence, desecration of a corpse and criminal conspiracy. The traditional ruler is yet to make any pronouncements.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post No 3820 Wednesday, June 17, 2026