After criminal attacks that left one dead in Douala: Littoral Governor says eight suspects arrested, assures public of security.

He was speaking in a presser organised at his office in Bonanjo, in the nation’s economic capital, Douala, on Tuesday September 24.

The outing of the administrative authority came on the heels of attacks suspected to have been orchestrated by a gang of delinquents known as ‘Microbes’.

The attacks carried out in the Douala I and II Subdivisions precisely in Bali and Bonapriso neighbourhoods on September 20, left one dead and several others injured.

While speaking to the press, Governor Ivaha Diboua revealed that of the fifteen or so young people suspected of being behind the attacks, eight have already been arrested and are being held at the Regional Judicial Police Division, DRPJ, in Bonanjo as investigations unfold smoothly. 

This was in the presence of the heads of the Littoral security forces, and other authorities.

“We did our findings with the authorities and we have word that the suspected offenders are in custody. They have all admitted to their crimes and have promised to cooperate with the forces of law and order,” Ivaha Diboua disclosed.

The Governor assured the public that the law remains supreme and will take its course. He further urged the people of the Littoral Region in general, and Douala in particular to have confidence in the security forces.

Citizens urged to be responsible

The meeting with the media, also gave the boss of the Littoral Region an opportunity to criticise the behaviour of some individuals who through social media paint a negative image on the state of security in the city of Douala.

“I’d like to say that Douala is not an unlivable city as some internet users would have us believe. The image that people want to pin on Douala is not real. Some videos circulated on social media this weekend with a lady showing her hand claiming to have been attacked and wounded. She was not wounded at ‘Mobile Njo-Njo’. I want discourage such attitudes as they only serve to make difficult situations worse,” the Governor stated.

He added that: “The lady in question did not call any security officers but instead went to social media. Social media does not solve issues”. 

He also called on citizens to avoid spreading false information, have responsible behavior on social media as well as report any worrying behaviour.

“Those who want to protect child offenders involved in attacks will have to deal with the governor that I am,” Ivaha Diboua insisted.

During his monologue to the press, Governor Ivaha Diboua also urged the population to be vigilant, and not to leave anything lying around in vehicles, at risk of being attacked by thugs. He added that security is everyone’s business.

The Governor concluded by tasking the Mayors of Douala I and II Subdivisions where the sad occurrence was registered to work in close collaboration with security officers to ensure the safety of their inhabitants as well as their properties. 

Among some security measures taken by the Governor is the sweep, launched under the coordination of the Divisional Officers of each Subdivision of Douala to arrest the young delinquents who want to wreak havoc on the population.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3241 of Thursday September 26, 2024