The phenomenon of car breaking and looting of valuables is on the increase in the nation's capital.

Many people consider urban settings superb areas to be; especially as they offer wonderful facilities like buoyant tourism destinations and avenues for professional growth. Far from these, cosmopolitan cities are breeding grounds for insecurity which is taking different turns on a daily basis. Nowadays, what is common is the breaking into cars and looting of valuables. A week hardly goes by without a person lamenting that his vehicle has been broken into and important items stolen.

Reports from some police stations in Yaoundé confirm that the phenomenon is on the rise, and the target is electronic gadgets. According to a complaint lodged with one Yaoundé police station, by one Dr. André Talla, burglars broke into his car and made away with two bags containing valuable objects. One of the bags had hi-tech equipment like laptop computer, USB keys, an internet kit, a digital camera of among other items. "They went away with equipment worth FCFA 2 million," the victim said in agony. "My prayer is that the forces of law and order would be able to lay hands on the thieves and recover my belongings," he said. He continued that the unfortunate incident happened at the Mbankolo neighbourhood at about 9 pm while he was at a wake keep ceremony. Another person who suffered this ordeal recently was an official of the Ministry of Secondary Education. His car was broken into at Carrefour Obili and valuables, including his vital documents, taken away.

According to sources, robbers break into cars in a brazen manner. They trailed their victims closely from the time they park to the moment they finish the operation. Parfait Evina, 2nd Grade Police Officer and 1st Deputy Commissioner at the Mvog-Betsi Police Station says that the rate at which complaints are filed in the station on this issue is alarming. "It is a new form of robbery in town now and it is very widespread," he said. According to him, the collaboration of victims and the public is indispensable in the effective fight against this new trend of criminality. The forces of law and order have therefore urged motorists to be more vigilant about where they pack their vehicles.

Motorists, beware car burglars!