Police Dismantle Armed Gang in Douala

Seven malefactors were presented to the public in Douala on Friday.

In response to multiple complaints from the population of Douala, the Judicial Police trapped seven hardened criminals into dragnets mounted across neighbourhoods in Douala.

Within the last two weeks, Beidi Cesar alias Black, Wando Jesus alias Esprit, Nawou Tetagnie Stephane alias Suisse, Tabet Tchamba Giscard alias Longueur, Kamegne Yannick Christian, Meangwa Housseny Issa alias Nji and Atabong Elvis alias Master Pi were arrested in Ndogpassi, Bonaberi and Bepanda. Before their arrest, the malefactors had rocked and looted through Bonamoussadi, Maképé, Logpom, and Logbessou, wounding and killing many people. Some of the people attacked between February and July 2012, who turned up to testify during the public presentation of the armed robbers last Friday in Bonanjo presented scars and wounds yet unhealed them.

Complaints filed in by the population proved victims were often trailed for a distance into their residence. Once the criminals gain access into the house or its fence, they unleash guns, at times discharging their bullets on people, to compel victims to give them money and other valuables. Almost half of a neighbourhood where they plundered was plunged into fear and cowardice from gunshots at nights. Businessmen and especially wealthy people, they said, were their main target. A private security officer, Yanda Joel, who together with his boss, a business mogul, was attacked and shot in the night of June 26-27 in Logpom, recognised them.

Dangerous weapons like semi-automatic guns, locally-fabricated revolvers as well as 37 cartridges have been recovered. They have been transferred to the Military Tribunal for upward transmission to the New Bell Prison. Though three or four others are said to be on the run, police say they will soon bring them to book.