Security forces this Tuesday morning, repelled an armed attack on a private school in Bamenda as gunmen attempted to disrupt the written phase of the GCE exams, which kicked off nationwide today.
A student and a law enforcement officer were shot in the leg during the crossfire between security forces and the attackers at St. Frederick Comprehensive High School in Mankon, Bamenda.
In a release later on Tuesday, the school’s management said the attack occurred at about 7:46 am when the gunmen began firing along the Big Mankon Cathedral road, a busy stretch.
“Thanks to the vigilance of the security officers on guard, the armed gunmen were pushed back with gunfire retaliation,” said Lonan Joseph, a top official of the school.
“In the crossfire of gun exchanges between the security officers and the armed gunmen, one security officer was shot in the leg and a stray bullet shot one student in the leg, they both sustained injuries. The attackers were repelled by security officers stationed around the school premises,” he added.
The victims were rushed to the Bamenda Regional Hospital, where 11 people are still receiving treatment after surviving a separatists’ grenade attack that killed two on Saturday.
The city of Bamenda and other parts of the North West have witnessed several attacks on civilians this month, amid a protracted armed separatist conflict that began in 2017.
Separatists, who have been opposing school resumption in the English-speaking regions, have often targeted students and teachers and have been opposing public exams like the GCE.
The exams are taking place in the crisis regions under strict security, with several examination centres merged into bigger centres for better security.
The management of St Frederick Comprehensive High School condemned Tuesday’s attack on the school and assured the continuation of the GCE exams.
“The management of St Frederick Comprehensive High School condemns such a macabre and barbaric act on an institution whose main mission is to offer education to Children,” the school said.
Meanwhile, local authorities have launched investigations to track down the attackers and ensure the continued safety and security of students and staff throughout the examination period.
It is not clear yet who the attackers were, as no separatist group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
