Douala: surviving crime during festive period
By Shanta Sih
According to numbeo’s statistics the problem of property crimes such as vandalism and theft in Douala stands at 73.5% and keeps increasing each day especially during the festive season.
The stories are many and keep increasing with each passing day. On July 4th 2022 for example, three men alleged to be armed robbers were apprehended by elements of law and order. Aged 17, 22 and 15, they were accused by supposed victims of extortion, theft and even of causing bodily harm.
On October 11 2022, a first class soldier was arrested along two accomplices for aggravated theft. The gang of 8 were accused of robbing a private residence in the Beedi district of Douala.
In November, several cases again surfaced. A 22 year-old man was caught in Douala with a stolen motorcycle from Bangante, West region of Cameroon after his accomplices robbed and murdered its owner.
“The theft in Douala has become what we cannot bear anymore. We cannot move freely with our phones to make a call or even carry anything,” Sandra Marie Therese, a vendor at a car park in Douala laments.
“The case becomes worse this festive season. I will advise any person coming to Douala for either a visit or to buy especially for business purpose to have another very tiny bag which can go round your waist line and you add another dress on top of it. Let it face in front while you’re on a bike. Put all your money inside and add a stone,” Denis Awang a bike rider in Douala advises.
“If you enter a taxi make sure you seat infront if your the lone person in it. If you see three persons seated behind or two men or women please take a bike. They are targeting you. Often those persons behind start conversations and mislead you and before you notice, your entire money is gone or phone. This festive period often breeds the worst of theft,” Jean Paul Elungu a taxi driver in Douala says.
Individuals have been advised by forces of law and order to stay alert and safe this season while trying to shop in Douala.
The government has assured the public that strong security measures will be taken during this festive period to ensure that inhabitants of Douala are not harmed this season.
