NTANTALLA, Cameroon — A heartbreaking scene unfolded in the small village of Ntantalla, Cameroon, as a 13-year-old boy tragically took his own life on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
The young teen, who remains unnamed, was accused of stealing a mobile phone, an allegation he vehemently denied.
Cameroonian journalist Tata Benard Gibip reported that the boy had previously tried to kill himself due to the false accusation but was talked out of it. However, in the early hours of Sunday morning, he slipped away from his home and hanged himself from a tree.
“A thirteen-year-old boy has committed suicide by hanging in Ntantalla, Ndu this Sunday, May 7, 2023. Sources say the tragedy began on Saturday, May 6, 2023, with an allegation that he stole a phone from a passenger he transported on a motorcycle, an allegation to which he refuted,” Gibip wrote.
The boy’s lifeless body was discovered hanging from the tree after his absence was noticed by family and friends. The community has been left in shock and disbelief, struggling to understand why such a young life was cut short.
“Considering his tender age, many are wondering whether the allegation could actually push him to take away his life. However, answers unfortunately cannot be gotten as the concerned is no,” Gibip continued.
The tragic incident has highlighted the devastating impact of false accusations on vulnerable individuals and ignited a conversation around mental health and support for those in need in the community.
As the small village of Ntantalla mourns the loss of one of its own, it serves as a painful reminder of the need for compassion and understanding in the face of adversity.
