Leading up to Labour Day, there has been an increase in law enforcement efforts to combat criminal activities in specific parts of Yaounde. The National Gendarmerie has stated that the purpose of this operation is to create a safe and peaceful atmosphere for the upcoming celebrations of Labour Day and Unity Day on May 1st and 20th, 2024, respectively.
Operations targeting crime hotspots within Yaounde have been initiated by the Centre Gendarmerie Legion, starting on Tuesday, April 23. The focus of these efforts is primarily on areas like Carrefour Sous-préfecture, Feux Madagascar, Marché Mokolo, Mosquée Centrale, and Briqueterie.
The Sous-préfecture Tsinga-Carrefour Fecafoot stretch has been identified as a critical zone where criminals, known as “microbes,” carry out assaults on pedestrians during evening hours. This area requires special attention due to the high incidence of such incidents. In recent times, there has been an increase in drug-related activities around the Tradex Mokolo Elobi roundabout, leading to a need for increased vigilance in the area.
Since the start of these operations, a total of 109 individuals have been apprehended, with 68 of them being suspected drug dealers. Several individuals were apprehended for operating motorcycles without proper documentation, and a substantial amount of illegal substances, including Indian hemp, were confiscated.
The detained individuals are currently being questioned at the headquarters of the Yaounde I Gendarmerie Company. In the coming days, the Yaounde II and III Gendarmerie Companies will be responsible for overseeing the subsequent phases of the operation.
These security measures in Yaounde mirror the efforts made in Bamenda, which led to the apprehension of several individuals engaged in drug-related activities. In spite of the various measures taken, certain parts of Yaounde, such as Mvan, still face significant crime rates, particularly incidents of pickpocketing that frequently involve the use of weapons like knives, especially after dark.
The Gendarmerie has not released any updates regarding the status of these anti-crime operations after International Labour Day.
