Robert Tumasang
25 July 2008
Police in Bertoua have dismantled two gangs of armed robbers in separate operations carried out recently.
Elements of the Rapid Intervention Unit of the Police Force, known by its French acronym as ESSIR, dismantled the gangs.According to the ESSIR commander, Commissioner of Police Foumena Frederick, the first operation was carried out at Elévage quarter and seven armed robbers, amongst them a 24-year-old lady, Nkangue Nadége, were arrested.
"These men and the lone woman were all cramped in a filthy two-roomed house when we arrived," said the Commissioner. He revealed that amongst the alleged bandits were four ex-prisoners, some who benefited from the recent presidential clemency that went into effect on June 11.
One of the arrested men, 24-year-old Ze Kong Aristide couldn't bear to explain how it all happened."I am part of the gang, but my memory is quite blurred now...I can't tell you anything," he gasped. He, however, revealed that "we operate mainly at night...we do so by breaking into houses especially when we figure out that the owners are not on seat...we monitor people's movements and then take the risks".
The arrested suspects include: Nkangue Amisselle alias Nadége-24 years; Abba Youssoufa-19; Bekoumé Adamou-27; Ibrahim Mohamadou-17; Mohamadou Hamadou - 28; Abdouraman Hamadou alias Kabir and gang leader Ze Kong Aristide-24.
Five other suspects reportedly beat up police vigilance and fled.The Elévage quarter Operation led to the recovery of two TV sets, three loud speakers, a motor-bike, two DVD players and other valuables.
The second operation, according to commissioner Foumena, took place that same day at Toungou quarter towards the Bertoua air strip, some 3km from town. One Dogari Ousmanou had brought in a written complaint to the ESSIR head-quarters alleging that a gang of three, namely; Nasrou, Ousmanou and, Hamidou had broken into his house and carted away the sum of FCFA 400.000.
ESSIR elements stormed the area and arrested two of the suspected burglars.On Wednesday, July 15, some of the victims came to ESSIR headquarters to identify and claim their property.
One of the victims, Monekour Julie, said: "I was in Yaoundé when the robbers broke into my house and took away my mattress. I am thankful that the police have recovered the mattress for me."
The recent arrests bring to 14 the number of people arrested in Bertoua within the last two weeks for theft, rape, looting and torture.The Provincial Delegate for National Security, Allemge Aloysius, has not only lauded the efforts of the forces of law and order, but has also remarked that the resounding successes of the forces could not have been possible without collaboration from the population.
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