Yaounde: Police parades suspects accused of brutally murdering 27-year-old.

They were presented as lead suspects in the August 4, 2024, killing of Nziko Simo Yvan Arthur, at the Mimboman neighbourhood in Yaounde.

The two, per the police, were notably brought out to enable the family of the late victim meet the accused.

The two, after the parade, were taken to the crime scene, where the main suspect, Mabaya Serge, who carried out the killing, re-enacted how he single-handedly executed the murder, in the area known as Petit Marché Opep, in the Mimboman neighborhood. 

He recreated the crime in the presence of the State Counsel of Mfoundi High Court, Ndi Ndi Luc. 

Speaking to the press after re-enacting the crime, the Commissioner of the Central Police Station No. 4 in Yaounde, Police Commissioner Mindjom Christine Irène, said the lead suspect, who had confessed he indeed carried out the murder, said it was one of the conditions to join a notorious gang, specialised in robbery and the sale of hard drugs.

According to the Police Commissioner, the young man carried out the murder at about 3: a.m., after consuming drugs to execute the task, which had been assigned him by Nga Foe, the leader of the group, known widely for selling drugs.

She said after killing the victim, the suspect abandoned the lifeless body in a pool of blood, just at the entrance to his house with a piece of a broken knife in his chest. 

“Proof of the brutality is the broken knife that was found on the victim. All of this was just for the main suspect to prove that he is strong and courageous enough, not only to join the gang, led by the accomplice but be a distinguished member of the group,” she added. 

How police apprehended lead suspect 

Per the Police Commissioner, the lead suspect was arrested just hours after committing the crime.

Commissioner Mindjom told pressmen that he was picked up at a church, after the police, which was contacted at about 5: a:m on the day of the incident, got in contact with the church.

She said the suspect had run to the church, after committing the crime but left his pullover in the church containing documents and his belongings.

Commissioner Mindjom said the police placed its hands on Mabaya Serge, after he came back to the church to collect the pullover.

Speaking to the State Counsel after re-enacting the crime, the main suspect said he didn’t know the leader of the gang until the eve of the day that the crime was committed.

The Police Commissioner however, described the claim as completely false, restating that the two indeed had known each other. 

She said Mabaya Serge had before the crime been showed how to carry out the act by the leader. 

This, she said, was to serve as a guide and as example, which the lead suspect would follow and commit a more brutal crime as a proof of his fearlessness. 

Deceased’s father hails police

Speaking to the press after the presentation and the recreation of the crime, the father of the deceased, Simo Gilles, lauded the police for its full engagement.

The man, who said he is suspicious that his son’s murder was premediated, encouraged the police to maintain the spirit to ensure that all those involved in the crime are brought to book.

“The police have been doing an impressive job so far. I trust them and look forward to seeing them coming out with the more details. I want those who heartlessly murdered my son to be brought to book, so that they can pay for their crimes,” the man who said he last spoke with his son on August 3, said. 

Population urged to collaborate

According to Commissioner Mindjom, Mimboman is not new to such crimes. She said the area was during the years 2011 and 2012, particularly notorious for such crimes. 

Mindjom said the recent intervention to arrest the suspects and the continuation of the investigations show police’s availability and dedication to protecting the population.

She particularly challenged the population to be fearless and to work in collaboration with the police.

The Police Commissioner, who promised that those who come up with useful information, will be protected, reassured the population that reporting criminals is the only way through which they can be taken off the streets.

“The population should not wait until someone has been murdered before contacting us. They have to keep us updated at all times. Toll-free numbers, 1500 and 117, are available at police stations,” she noted.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3228 of Friday September 13, 2024