Bamenda-based Businessman Dies Mysteriously

By Loveline Mbori

A 44-year old prominent international businessman based in Bamenda, Felix Youdom, popularly known as Fago, was on Thursday, October 26, at about 8.00 am, discovered dead in a forest at Bandja hill in Bamendankwe.

He was a dealer in second motor cars and spare parts and his business was known as Fago Motors headquarters at SONAC Street, Bamenda.

Recounting the story to the press, at the Bamenda Hospital Mortuary, one of Fago's wives, Sarah Youdom, said their husband left the house on Monday, October 23, at 10:30 for an undisclosed destination, after receiving a call from a friend.

She said he told them before leaving that he would travel out of town for a business trip when he returns from where he was going. Sarah Youdom told the press that she and her mate waited for their husband to return that evening but he did not. They then mounted a manhunt for him.

"The search took us to drinking houses, hotels and all the places we thought our husband could be to no avail," she narrated. "The next day, Tuesday October 24," she continued, "a close family friend of ours told us that he has seen our husband's Toyota Hilux car packed at Bandja hill. We immediately went there and discovered the car packed with the keys under the car carpet".

Sarah said they then saw one woman who owns a farm around where their husband's was car packed, who told them that she (the woman) saw Fago and one other person in his car, on Monday, but did not know their mission.

The woman, whose name we did not get, told Fago's wives that their husband packed his car, and went further into the forest with his friend.

"After getting this information, we went into the said forest and discovered our husband lying almost naked, with a container, which we were told contained acid thrown all over his body with his underwear stripped off," she intimated. She said their husband's body was burnt with the acid, as he with his eyes wide open.

The Post, however, learnt that Bamendankwe Traditional authorities had to pour libation around the forest before his family could search for him. Talking to The Post a closest family member of Youdom's, who preferred not to be named, said his brother had no problem with anybody.

He said the only problems his brother called him on phone some few weeks ago and told him about were about his missing National Identity Card and a plot he bought in Douala, which had a little, disagreement, which was later resolved. 

Our source said, Youdom's ID card got missing and he was in the process of establishing a new one, but did not succeed as the police frustrated this move because they said they (the police) were not sure that the old one was actually missing.

He dismissed allegations that his brother might have been involved in secret a deal as many claim or killed by bandits because all his mobile phones were in tact. One of Fago's neighbours at SONAC Street told The Post that the business guru was always very jovial and very kind, fun of offering gifts to people.

A cab driver that claimed to have been close to Youdom, said he (Fago) was a taxi driver like him in Bamenda some years back.  He said Youdom seems to have mastered his business so well and became a successful businessman importing cars and other items from Europe. To him, those who claim that he most have been initiated into a secret cult are lazy people who sit idle and gossip.

Youdom was married to two wives with several children. He hails from Balikumbat. He was one of a few Northwesterners concerned about development. He is said to have employed several youths and has settled many into various businesses.

Youdom's corpse was later transferred to the Bamenda Hospital Mortuary where an autopsy is still awaited. The burial programme is yet to be released.

Comments

[rexon]

This is a very sad situation. We hope the perpetrators of such acts will be brought to justice. whatever their reasons, they did'nt need to kill this man like this.

[G. Akom]

Sad situation indeed. Those who knew him will confirm he was a good person who was willing to help others. The name FAGO came into existence when this guy was still in primary school. I remember him as one of the few students who came to school back in the late seventies on a bicycle and he had FAGO written behind it. He made it clear secondary education was not really for him and that is why he went straight off to the garage after primary school and within a few years he was doing well. He has helped many people and they can testify. He was always willing to advice others. Whatever has happenned, I know a hard working man has gone to rest. I am still having it difficult accepting that I will not see him again. It is my hope that those responsible should be uncovered and dealt with. May his sole rest in peace. My heart goes to the family!

[Fon]

Many after reading this story will ask many questions.For example; what was Fago going to do in the forest with his friend before he met his untimely death? However, we should also consider that, given that Fago is a business man, may be his killer deceived him that he has a plot to sell and hence Fago went without any resistence to the forest to see the plot.This is the only reason one can advance as to why Fago accepted to go into the forest.
I leave the rest to God.May his soul rest in peace

G.Akom,
If you are Akom George, accept my greetings

[raul]

so you people do not know that my uncle had been buried years back

[fatima]

even if he has been buried, justice still had to prevail who ever did that to fago. bad and nasty things always happen to good people from bad friends who claim to be good. the killer must be among his trusted friends and relatives. i curse who so ever did this that he and his future generations still to come shall never find peace and success in what ever they do until when God will also avenge his death.