250 ARRESTED AFTER GANG LOOT, ATTACK YAOUNDE POLICE STATION

More than 250 persons have been arrested at the Briquetterie and Mokolo neighbourhoods after attacks on the Yaoundé Mokolo market and police station, on January 7 2016.

Police, Gendarmes Patrolling Area

The Divisional officer for Yaoundé II Subdivision, Yampen Ousman said the situation is under control as security forces continue to patrol the area.

Scores of people were wounded and rushed to hospital while close to 50 shops are reported to have been smashed and looted.

 “Relative calm has returned and we are making sure that those living in Cameroon are protected,” said a security source.

The office of the Divisional Officer for Yaoundé II denied claims of an attack from Islamic insurgents’ right in Cameroon’s capital.

Panic-Stricken Yaounde residents

“It has for now nothing to do with attacks from insurgents. Our first investigations have not taken us to that direction or conclusion. What we know is that a group of uncontrolled delinquents armed with clubs, knives and machetes attacked a section of the Mokolo market and later the nearby police station. 

Security forces brought the situation under control. Those arrested will have to face the law,” said a security source who added that no deaths have been reported following the January 7 incident.

Ransacked Makeshift Stalls 

Concordant sources said the attackers of the Mokolo market and police station were reacting in retaliation to the death of one of theirs killed in a police raid the day before, January 6. 

Police officers had stepped in to rescue a woman who had been assaulted and robbed of valuables by the deceased suspect.  Other reports said he lost his life in an attempt to resist police arrest while his alleged accomplice was arrested.

 Officials confirm several reports of assaults and robbery are recorded almost on a daily basis around the Briquetterie and Mokolo neighbourhoods.

Photo: Eugene Ndi,Angie Forbin