The driver of a clandestine mini-bus, Paul Djem, recently, attempted to commit suicide in the cell of the 2nd Central Police Station, Douala, after learning that a motor accident, which occurred as a result of his act, had caused the death of three persons.

According to police sources, Djem got into a bus of the urban transport company, SOCATUR, at about 4.30 pm around the Ndokoti Market and punched the driver, Mesmer Nde, whom he accused of having "nearly killed" him at Nyala with the bus.

Djem reportedly claimed that the driver of the SOCATUR bus, which plies Line No. 7 (Nyala-Ndokoti), had not cared to stop after the bus almost crushed him in his own mini-bus.

As the story goes, after missing death at Nyala, Djem waylaid the SOCATUR bus in Ndokoti where he leaped in the vehicle, gripped the steering wheel and began struggling with the driver to take control.

A SOCATUR staff, who was the only other person in the bus, then tried to pull off the gigantic Djem from the steering wheel, but a blow from him [Djem] sent him crashing to the floor.

In the course of that scuffle, the driver lost control and the bus rammed into both pedestrians and traders on the roadside, killing three people.The three who were crushed to death are Samuel Youmsi, a trader at the Ndokoti market, Alain Pierre Nitouh, a staff of SNEC who had stopped at the market to purchase some items, and Mrs. Anne Marie Obono Mbazoa, a mother of four.

Four other persons sustained injuries and were hospitalised. They included Mrs. Annicette Bougong Agoume, Mrs. Suzanne Bikai Ngo, Mrs. Marie Minsang Ngo, and one man who was simply referred to as Massa Yo.

The police said that Nde, who is also in detention, swore that he did not, at any moment in Nyala on that fateful day of May 29, realise that he almost knocked a mini-bus or any other vehicle as Djem claimed.

It was, however, observed that Djem has a police record for acts of physical aggression.

Sources at the 2nd Central Police Station said he has been detained there a number of times for having either fought, beaten up somebody or committed acts of aggression.

The police described him as a brute as well as a regular "client" of the cell.

SOCATUR Assistance

The General Manager of SOCATUR, Jean Ernest Messéna Ngalle Bibehe, said the company was in shock over the May 29 incident.

While extending the company's condolence message to the bereaved families, Ngalle Bibehe said the company has already contacted family members of the victims of the accident, and will offer them some financial assistance for the burials. The company is also assisting those people who were hospitalised.