Bamenda: old town inhabitants complain of insecurity

By Nukapuh P.

Some inhabitants of Old Town, a well known neighborhood in the Bamenda II subdivision have for a long time now, been complaining about theft and insecurity in the neighborhood.

While talking to CNA an inhabitant of the neighborhood recounts how a notorious thief broke into his house and made away with his money and some valuable items. He added that the said thief has been selling drugs to youths in the area for a long time and it seems no one can stop him.

“This guy called Divine broke my window last week when I was not home and took away some money and some valuable items from my house. Unfortunately for him I came back and caught him trying to remove my television. When I alerted neighbors, he jumped to the ceilling and disappeared through the backside,” a victim who opted for anonymity recounted.

Our source revealed that the said guy who lives at 7 door has completely intoxicated more than half of the youths in the neighborhood with hard drugs like marijuana and ‘cailloux’ which are dangerous to their health and causing them to get involved in illegal acts.

The informant added that as a result of the drugs they consume on daily basis, these youths move around collecting iron from people’s homes to sell only to buy drugs.

“All the children are always at 7 door. They move around picking broken buckets and irons only to go sell and smoke. He has damaged the whole quarter. We are really in problem in this quarter.”

Other sources added that the said Divine has been arrested several times and locked up by security officials but he always allegedly bribes his way out.

Old Town is now known for haboring several notorious thieves and this was the case prior to the onset of the socio-political crisis.

Many say forces of law and order have been lazy about putting an end to these activities and this has led to its proliferation causing many to live in permanent fear.