According to a press release dated Friday, June 5, 2020, the journalist died in military custody in on August 17, 2019, exactly 15 days after he was arrested in Buea. Although Wazizi was arrested by the Muea Police on August 2, 2019, the Ministry of Defence says he was arrested on August 3, 2019.

The following is the press release signed by Cyrille Serge Atonfack Guemo on behalf of the Ministry of Defence:-

“The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cameroon hereby communicates: On Saturday, August 3, 2019 in Ekona, the security forces had proceeded during a security operation on the ground, to the arrest of Mr. Samuel Ebuwe Ajiekia, alias Samuel Wazizi suspected of having connections with terrorists and complicity in terrorist acts.

“After thorough investigations, elements of the Security Forces had established that the latter, claiming to be a presenter on a local television station, a=was in fact a logistician for various terrorist groups operating on the heights of Mountain Lions (Buea), more precisely from the entrenched camps of Massouma and Wonya Makumba. He also coordinated the logistical operations of other terrorist groups operating in the Fako Division, including 21 Man Scot For Life, One For All, and the Fear of the Mountain, known as the special terrorist task force.

“On august 7, 2019, the security forces had put the aforementioned at the disposal of the 21^st Motorized Infantry Brigade (21^st BRIM), for operational use.

“Thereafter, he was transferred to the Central Criminal Investigation Service of the National Gendarmerie on august 13, 2019, via the Military Security Division, in accordance with the standard procedures.

“Upon arrival in Yaoundé, Mr. Samuel Ebuwe Ajiekia was feeling feverish. Thus, the Military Security Division placed him at the disposal of the Military Hospital – Military Region No. 1 in Yaoundé, for consultation and appropriate care.

“Unfortunately, his state of health will deteriorate as the days go by until the early morning of Saturday, August 17, 2019, when doctors certified him dead at 2:13 a.m.

“The death certificate issued by this Hospital clearly stated that Samuel Ebuwe Ajiekia, born on June 6, 1984 in Molyko, died on august 17, 2019, as a result of a “Sévère Sepsis”.

“As a matter of fact, he died as a result of “Sévère Sepsis” and not from any act of torture or physical abuse.

“It is worth mentioning that the latter had remained in close contact with his family from Buea to Yaoundé, and that even from his sick bed at the Yaoundé Military Hospital – Military Region No. 1, he exchanged regularly with several relatives.

Once his death was confirmed, his body was deposited the same day at the Yaoundé Military Hospital - Military Region No. 1 mortuary located at the Military Training Center in the Ekounou neighbourhood, Yaoundé 4 subdivision, and the family was immediately informed.

“We are sorry to note that the family has since then not undertaken any steps for the funeral arrangements.

“10 months later, some national and international media and non-governmental organisations, with well-known editorial lines and affiliations, take offence in unison at a pseudo disappearance which is not actually the case. They even go as far as drawing a supposed parallel with current socio-security convulsions ignited in certain countries overseas.

“This new episode to demonise our Defence and Security Forces clearly seems to be part of a programmed logic to demoralize them, or even demobilize them in the conduct of their missions to defend the territorial integrity of the country and protect people and their property.”

Contrary to the aforementioned claims by government, his family members say they did not see Wazizi nor communicated with him after he left the Muea Police Station. His lawyers and his colleague journalists also did not know of his whereabouts until news of his death went public 10 months after.