Kouoptamo: kidnapping for ransom on the rise
A source close to the Cameroonian military has reported that kidnapping for ransom is becoming rampant in Kouoptamo in the Noun division of the West region of Cameroon.
According to this same source, several persons are currently in the captivity of some armed bandits who are demanding the sum of F CFA17.5 million for their release.
This phenomenon is also on the rise in the North West and South West as well as the Northern regions of Cameroon despite measures taken by administrative authorities to eradicate it.
Last April ending, gendarmes went on a mission to rescue 5 captives from the hands of some bandits in Garoua, North region. On the night of April 28 to 29, 2022 around midnight, five individuals, one with an Ak47 gun and three with hunting weapons and a machete, stormed the Sekehi village, in Touroua, and took five persons aged between 15-31 hostage.
“Alerted, the elements of the Gendarmerie Brigade of Touroua set off in pursuit of these presumed criminals who had taken the forest direction towards Tcheboa on their way to Mayo-Rey. This pursuit , initiated with the support of members of the vigilante committees of Touroua, Tcheboa and Tsorke, made it possible to find the presumed kidnappers on the mountains at about 6 p.m. on April 29. The latter opened fire on the defence and security forces who quickly responded” a source at the gendarmerie narrates.
According to the Gendarmerie, the fire exchange saw two of the armed men, aged 23 neutralized, an Ak47 weapon recovered, as well as a box charger and 16 7.62 caliber ammunition.
The five hostages were freed and handed over to their respective families after investigation and a medical check up at the Touroua hospital, under the coordination of the Divisional Officer.
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