Security forces are squeezing at least four persons suspected of sowing terror on the highway linking the capital Yaounde and the port city. The minister of territorial administration, Paul Atanga Nji says the four were nabbed for their possible role in attacking moving vehicles with projectiles, robbing passengers and risking lives.
The new wave of insecurity on the country’s busiest axis is strange. Speeding vehicles are attacked by unidentified persons who shatter car windshields with projectiles, most of the time stones. Several buses, cars and trucks have been targeted in the attacks that occur mostly in deep darkness. Drivers who stop to check out things are then attacked and passengers robbed of their money and valuables.
The last few nights have been full of panic for travelers on the Douala-Yaoundé axis. A 70 seater bus driver who witnessed things first hand at the spot he referred to as Carrefour Razel advises other drivers not to stop if ever their vehicles get hit with projectiles. Otherwise, they would get robbed by armed men. He says he made the mistake of stopping when the bandits he could not see smashed his windscreen.
Meanwhile, the attackers do not only target moving buses. Trucks and cars that break down have also been visited. It happened to a truck that broke down on the highway and was being repaired overnight by a mechanic and the truck driver. Both men were tied up by the night gang.
They proceeded to pluck off the head lamps, dashboard, kick starter, and electrical system and every vehicle accessory. Road users spotted the two still tied up and but unhurt.
A passenger who survived one of the attacks is cautioning other traveler on social media videos that they should choose carefully when to embark on a journey. This phenomenon which got to a worrying scale in recent days has left night time travelers deeply scared especially as other passengers have been physically assaulted.
Shaken by this new phenomenon, the regional governor, Samuel Ivaha Diboua has cautioned travelers to be extra cautious. He is urging road side communities and their chiefs to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the security forces. He assured the public that everything is being done to catch the perpetrators of the stone attacks.’
More patrols are now being carried out on the stretch of road. Yet the population and road users are very critical of the activities of road safety officers who are often accused by anti-graft organizations of focusing more on collecting tips.
Many are hoping that the security forces would intensify efforts to track down criminals and put an end to this wave of insecurity on the highways.
Sa'ah Siona Ikei, The Post Newspaper
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