Fear grips Bamenda as insecurity takes high toll
Cases of gang robbery, car theft, kidnappings, and phone seizure are leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of Bamenda residents for the past four weeks.
By Manka Ita
From Mankon to Nkwen merges to make up the metropolitan headquarter of the restive North West Region, no neighborhood is spared as armed young men during the day as well as night, invade homes, bars, Njangi houses, and social gatherings to harass, taunt and rob inhabitants.
Residents in communities around Foncha Street, St. Paul Junction, Mile 4 Junction, and Ntabeng have raised the alarm over the increase in armed robbery attacks, and seizure of phones, bikes, and even cars.
Barely three weeks ago, some five armed-to-the-teeth young men virtually took over the Mile 3 Junction area kidnapping the owners of a shop, and a bar, snatching handbags, money, trinkets, and all that in broad daylight from motorists and commuters who were held in the heavy traffic snarl.
This went on for a long time without any security particularly the police or gendarme, intervening. Similar cases of such robbery have become very worrisome because it was repeated sequentially in Down Foncha, Mile 4, and Ntabeng quarters. The case of a deadly gang that raided a Credit Union at Small Mankon and shot a worker’s leg 5 days ago is still fresh in the memory.
The Small Mankon operation was similar to the SONAC Street operation at the SOREPCO building material shop that lasted for a long time without the police or security forces lifting a finger. Before then, the same gang had earlier robbed the Blessing Petrol Station at Mile 3 Nkwen and made off with millions. The list is lengthy as isolated cases are reported in many neighborhoods.
Unfortunately, while armed robbers are having a field day, those belonging to various cult groups are also daily on the prowl killing and maiming people at will like in the case of the cold murder of an ex-military man in Bambili.
Bamenda resident
What could be responsible for the resurgence of insecurity in Bamenda in spite of the huge amount of money being spent by the state of Cameroon on security in the city? It is alleged that some of these young men depriving people of their belongings are Separatist fighters who no longer receive sufficient money from abroad. Some have made it clear that taking money from, especially business persons is a citizen tax collection exercise to prosecute the war in the Anglophone regions.
Kidnapped victims have confirmed to CNA that their cars were confiscated, heavy sums of money extorted from them, and their Mobile Money accounts emptied in what they say were established Separatist camps. The neighborhood of Ntasen is said to harbor a bulk of these armed bandits.
