Commercial motor bikes have been prohibited from circulating in some parts of the North West and South West regions of Cameroon.
The decision made public on Thursday, 8th March 2018 by the Minister of Territorial Administration was prompted by an upsurge in attacks by assaillants on bikes in some parts of these regions.
A release signed by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul details a number of attacks attributed to this group.
The latest attack occurred on Wednesday, 7th March 2018 at the Presbyterian High School Batibo, North West Cameroon region where a soldier was killed and three students injured.
The release states that the attackers, armed with weapons of war, intended to abduct students from the school complex and had to face-off with defence forces.
The incident is considered another blow to the population of the sub division that is yet to recover from the shock after the Divisional Officer and the Regional Delegate for Social Affairs were abducted on February 11 and 24, 2018.
The release from the Minister of Territorial Administration states that these repeated assaults are facilitated by motorbikes.
To guarantee the safety of the population therefore, the circulation of these bike is banned for a period of 7 to 10 days renewable;
North West Region: Batibo and Widik*um in the Momo Division.
Balik*umbat in the Ngoketunjia Division.
South-West Region: the entire Ndian division
Muyuka subdivision, Kumba, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Mbonge in Fako Division and Konye in Meme Division.
Exempt from the ban are administrative bikes and other riders with a special authorisation.
Governors of both regions shall ensure the strict application of the measures.
The Security Picture of the Regions
The release from the Minister of Territorial Administration make a panoramic assessement of the security situation in the region.
He deplores another situation where 18 girls with an age range of 13 to 18 years were victims of raped.
He said some of these girls are currently pregnant.
In addition, a cache of weapons and explosive devices was recently discovered in Batibo.
Mr Paul Atanga Nji, in his capacity as Permanent Secretary of the National Security Council (CNS), condemned the many other abuses perpetrated by “secessionist activists” in the North West and South West regions.
Elvis Teke
