Cameroon police probe journalists investigating secret US migrant deportations, seize equipment

On February 17, judicial police in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, detained photographer Angel Ngwe, reporter Nalova Akua and videographer Arnold Ndal, who were on assignment for the AP news agency. Fru, who was later hired by the AP to represent its news crew, told CPJ that the journalists were being investigated for criminal trespass and their equipment, including cellphones and a laptop, had yet to be returned. “They have not been charged yet, but their gear is still with police whose modus operandi is to pry into their equipment and start fabricating charges,” he said, adding that he was concerned the police could circumvent the journalists’ passwords and invade their privacy.