22/11/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cameroon News Agency Raises Alarm Over the Disappearance of Editor Hansel Ngala Cameroon News Agency (CNA) is urgently appealing for public assistance and swift action from authorities following the troubling disappearance of our News Editor, Hansel Ngala.
Mr. Ngala travelled to South Africa on November 3, 2025, to participate in the 21st Annual African Investigative Journalism Conference, the continent’s largest gathering of investigative journalists, held at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg from November 5–7.
He remained active in his editorial duties throughout; editing articles and contributing remotely to the newsroom. He was scheduled to return to Cameroon on November 9, according to flight information he shared with CNA, and later told colleagues and friends that he planned to extend his stay and would return on the weekend of November 21st.
On November 20, CNA noticed an unusual and sudden silence. Mr. Ngala stopped responding to newsroom submissions and communicating with the Executive Editor. This sudden break in communication was out of character and immediately raised concern. Calls and messages to his phone have gone unanswered and his regular social media presence has stopped.
Around the same time, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), listed as one of his emergency contacts, alerted CNA after receiving worrying information regarding his situation.
Despite extensive efforts by CPJ, CNA, and Mr. Ngala’s family, all attempts to locate him have so far been unsuccessful.
Available information indicates that Mr. Ngala did depart South Africa on November 8, as initially planned, with a short layover in Addis Ababa, before boarding his Ethiopian Airlines connecting flight to Yaoundé on November 9, arriving at approximately 1.50 p.m.
It is understood that upon arrival at Nsimalen International Airport, he was interrogated for about an hour. Additional information in CNA’s possession, details which we are withholding currently to avoid jeopardizing ongoing investigations, has heightened our fears for his safety.
As of today, more than three days after all contact was lost, his whereabouts remain unknown. Hansel Ngala is a committed journalist and editor, respected for his professionalism, fairness,
and adherence to ethical standards. He is not a person who seeks conflict, He serves the public with dedication, integrity and courage.
CNA calls on Cameroonian authorities, the media community, civil society organizations, international partners, and members of the public to urgently assist in locating Mr Ngala and ensuring his safety.
Thank you.
Nfor Hanson Nchanji
Executive Editor
Cameroon News Agency
[email protected]
Media Contact +237 679 700 696
