West region: Gendarmes arrest bricklayer accused of killing businessman in Batoufam

The popular businessman, Tchatchouang Bertrand, 52 years old, owner of the “Contennaire bar at the Batoufam toll gate, was murdered on Saturday, August 20, 2022, around his business premises.

His killer ambushed him on his way back home. After investigations, Gendarmes found a 20-year-old bricklayer as the prime suspect. On that fateful day, the suspect allegedly took away the keys to his victim’s bar. With the help of the keys, he stole the sum of 750,000FCFA before escaping.

Bayagam Gendarmerie officials tracked the mobile phone of the victim and discovered it was being used in Yaoundé.

” We discovered that the deceased’s phone was being used in Yaoundé precisely in Biyem-Assi. It was found with a lady. Interrogated she said it was given to her by her cousin, the 20-year-old bricklayer. This enabled us to locate and arrest him.” Martial DJAMADEU, commander of the Bayagam Gendarmerie Brigade explained.

Upon questioning the suspect, he acknowledged and recounted how he planned and carried out the murder. He also explained what pushed him to kill the businessman.

According to the Gendarmerie official, the suspect told them he killed Mr. Tchatchouang Bertrand, burgled into his shop, and took away the sum of 750,000 FCFA to settle his debt of 300,000 FCFA.

Further investigations revealed he used part of the money to buy a brand-new motorcycle and began spending money in an extravagant manner to the surprise of the locals.

He also told the gendarmes the wound on his finger was because of the struggle with the deceased Mr. Tchatchouang Bertrand.

The suspect is being held at the Bayagam Gendarmerie Brigade awaiting trial.

On the other hand, the mortal remains of Mr. Tchatchouang Bertrand will be laid to rest on the 2nd of September 2022 in Batoufam.

His lifeless body was discovered a stone throw from his family home early Sunday, August 21 by his mother on her way to church.