Robbery intensifies ahead of the festive period

The month of December is usually a festive period as many prepare to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

These activities are intensive around markets, banks and motor-ways. It is a time when business strives and business men struggle to maximize profits from sales.

Some of them are honest while others take advantage of the hustle and bolstering to carry out many illegal activities.

One very recent case is the gas explosion at the Etoudi Neighbourhood in Yaounde where an owner of a gas depot operated illegally and ended up by losing 3000 bottles of gas.

In an attempt to cheat both Government by evading taxes and buyers by reducing the quantity of gas in the bottle, he got into trouble.

Fraudsters on their part intensify their activities during this period. Magdelein a trader at “Marche de Centre” in Etoug Ebe recounted that one of her bags had been pulled away in broad day light during one of her recent business trips to Douala.

Despite all efforts to alert onlookers around, none came to her rescue. She rather sustained an injury for resisting to letting go the bag worse still, Magdalene later learnt that most of the onlookers were either accomplices or, were afraid to come to her rescue.

In the regions, there are regular reports on theft and other dangerous activities during this period.

The most recently reported spectacular theft occurred in Bamenda. Thieves broke into a bar and took away 18 crates of beer including 5850 FCFA close by, at the Ntarinkon neighbourhood; bandits attacked four residences and robbed several others on the street.