Gendarmes parade four suspected kidnappers in Yaounde.

Gang of suspected kidnappers

Officers of the First Gendarmerie Region have paraded four persons suspected to be members of a notorious gang of kidnappers. The gang was presented to the press at the command post of the First Gendarmerie Region in Yaounde, Wednesday.



Speaking to reporters, the Chief of Service of the Judicial Research and Fight against Organised Crimes at the First Gendarmerie Region, Major Danzabe Henri, said the suspects were arrested after a thorough investigation. 

The apprehended suspects presented by the officers include 21-year-old Ghong Franklin, 23-year-old Tamfu Hamlet Tanko, Assandje Parfait, 23, and Njenwie Giland, aged 23. 

According to Major Danzabe, the victim, Pondi Nguieme, was lured into a trap by criminals who pretended to have interest in his artistic pursuits. 

"They invited him to present himself somewhere, and once there, they took him further away and led him to an unknown direction," he explained.

He said the ordeal began on January 3 when the kidnappers demanded ransom from the victim’s family and friends both in the country and abroad. 

Major Danzabe said investigations opened by Gendarme officers deployed to the field let to the arrest of the culprits of the hideous crime. The official went on to commend the victim's resilience after he succeeded in escaping from the criminals. 

"The victim developed a warrior's skill to escape from the hands of these criminals," he said. 

 

 

 

Call for population's support

Major Danzabe appealed to the population to support security officers by providing vital information. This, he said, is needed so that “we can act effectively to capture all the criminals in our society”. 

He reiterated the need for such collaboration, beckoning on persons in similar situations to resist paying ransoms, a practice that he believes fuels the cycle of kidnapping. 

"I formally forbid them from giving a penny to these threats or traffickers. Do not even give five francs to anyone who demands a ransom to free your children," he urged. 

In his statement, the military official issued a stern warning to "gangsters and urban bandits", declaring that: "This activity must not exist in our country, whether in Yaoundé or elsewhere. I challenge them, and we will only move from success to success in addressing this issue". 

He attributed their successes to "work and collaboration with the population". Major Danzabe stressed the importance of community engagement, adding, "our secret lies in the trust and cooperation between the security forces and the people".

 

Victim's family lauds officers for bravery, swift response 

One of the parents of the victim, Retired Colonel Teifouet, lauded the forces of law and order for their bravery and swift response in tackling the criminals. 

“By my smile, you see that I am happy. I thank God because my son is alive,” Teifouet said.

Teifouet added that: “I wish to laud the promptness and efficiency of the Gendarmes for the work they have done in a short time to avoid what we were not going to bear”. 

 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3340 of Thursday January 16, 2025

 

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