Two students have been arrested in Yaounde, Cameroon’s capital, and will be facing charges of armed robbery targeting mobile money kiosk operators, the Cameroon National Gendarmerie in Nkolbisson announced on March 16.
The students, aged 17 and 26, are alleged to have used guns to steal from kiosks in the Nkolbisson neighbourhood. Following complaints from kiosk operators, a manhunt was launched on March 14, leading to the arrest of the two suspects at Caramba in the Nkolbison District.
The Gendarmerie presented the suspects to the public, stating that they were apprehended while preparing for another robbery. A MAB BREVET-SDGD model D automatic pistol and an empty magazine were seized at the time of the arrest.
According to the gendarmerie, one of the suspects is believed to be responsible for a robbery on December 10, 2023, at an Orange Money kiosk in Caramba, where 5 million FCFA was stolen.
The two suspects will face charges in court, and the gendarmerie will continue their investigation to apprehend any other gang members involved in these robberies.
The case of these students only adds to the growing statistics of crime in Yaounde, which has faced a significant surge in recent years.