Centre Region: Suspected serial rapist, assault gang leader, paraded in Ombessa.

This follows the arrest of a suspected leader of a gang specialised in rape, assault, theft and other acts that have been reigning terror in the area.

The suspected gang leader, 22-year-old Tsang Sanama Basile alias ‘Virus’, was presented to the media by officials of the Ombessa Public Security Post, Friday, August 16, 2024. 

The Chief of Post of the Ombessa Public Security Post, Second Grade Police Officer Messanga Eteme Ignace, told reporters that the arrested suspect was head of the gang of four that had been terrorising the population since the start of the year. 

Messanga revealed that their modus operandi included the use of sharp matchets and knives to harass the population, forcefully collect their valuables and rape their female victims. 

Investigations leading to his arrest, Messanga disclosed, was launched and on April 11, the first member of the gang fell into the dragnet of his officers.

The suspect, the police officer added, was caught while attempting to rape a 15-year-old victim around Ombessa primary school compound opposite the technical high school which is their fief.

Messanga further detailed that on August 7, at about 11p.m., based on intel, his officers descended on the field and surprised the other three gang members who were about harassing a couple. 

He said the suspects were surprised by officers while they were about raping a woman in front of his husband after they had forced the man to kneel. 

The police officer disclosed that it was in the cause of the surprise operation that his officers caught the 22-year-old gang leader while his two members succeeded to escape. 

“…’Virus’ is the head of the gang. We caught him red-handed about to rape again one girl who was with the husband after having forced the husband to kneel,” Messanga told reporters. 

Call for collaboration 

While calling for sincere and frank collaboration of the population to curb insecurity and crime in Ombessa, the police officer assured that the police is doing its utmost to protect the population. 

“We want to assure the population of Ombessa that we are out to protect them and their goods. They should collaborate with us frankly, give us information on time, to permit us to work,” he stated. 

Messanga reiterated that it is only with collaboration of the population that police officers can intervene timely to thwart crimes. He also called on those who have been victims of crimes to table complaints so that justice can take its course. 

Avoid isolated areas at night 

The Assistant Chief of Post, First Grade Police Officer Nginyu Samuel Ngala, on his part, called on the population to avoid isolated and dark areas at night in order not to fall in the hands of the men of the underworld. 

“I will also ask them to avoid isolating themselves especially in the night in dark areas which are inhabited by men of the underworld,” he said, further assuring that the two suspects on the run have been identified and investigations are on course to locate their hideouts. 

“We call on the population to deposit complaints to permit us to work to eradicate delinquents in this town,” Nginyu appealed.

Enter Ombessa Divisional Officer 

The Divisional Officer, DO, of Ombessa, Jean-Richard-Tarcice Banga, lauded the efforts of the security officers which has led to the dismantling of the notorious gang. 

He regretted that the Subdivision and Ombessa in particular as a junction town to other localities was fast becoming a fertile ground for crime and other lawless acts. 

Rise in crimewave, the DO told reporters, led him to embark on a tour, during which broad-based discussions were had with all the components of the population on the need for all and sundry to collaborate to end crime in the area.

“The tour made us to sit, suggest and take measures for the future,” Banga said, while recalling that measures including the closure of bars at 10p.m. and not the usual midnight, ban on night journey since most of the crimes were committed at night, were implemented. 

He also mentioned the revival of existing vigilante committees with fresh orientations on how to better collaborate with security forces to report those suspected criminals, especially those consuming and trafficking drugs. 

The Divisional Officer regretted the rampant circulation of drugs in Ombessa, which he blamed on the junction nature of the town. He said the sale and consumption of drugs partly accounts for the rise in crime wave which they are fighting vigorously.  

“The measures made the crime rate to drastically reduced. The measures made the population to be much more assured of the presence of the authorities for their protection and their property,” the Divisional Officer stated.

While calling on the population not to relent in collaborating with security and administrative authorities to fish out the remaining criminals within the administrative unit.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3203 of Monday August 19, 2024