BREAKING: Arsonists burn down Bamenda III Council hall

Shock and consternation gripped the inhabitants of Bamenda III this morning as they woke to the reaslisation that arsonists had burned down Bamenda III Council Hall. The residents had their night interrupted by gunshots and a fire that they later confirmed had consumed the Municipal Council hall.

People living close to the building say they heard the sound of bikes when attackers came to Council premises at about 1 am last night. They alerted security and defence forces.

“I heard bikes around the premises at about 1 a.m. followed by gunshots that went on for a while before the hall was set ablaze,” a Bamenda III resident told MMI.

The arsonists are reported to have opened fire on the forces of law and order when they arrived at the scene, leading to a gun exchange.

The fire was prevented from moving to the main building, thanks to the timely intervention of the local population, who came out in their hundreds after the arsonists had disappeared.

After Nkum Council in North West Region’s Bui Division, Bamenda III Council is the most recent target of arsonists.

Bamenda III Council is also the lone municipal council in the North West that is managed by the Social Democratic Front (SDF).

The mayor, Fongu Cletus, has yet to make any statement concerning the arson. Residents are confused as to who could be behind the attack.

This is a developing story