Explosion In Bamenda: President Paul Biya Orders Special Measures

 Below is the preliminary statement made by the Minister of Communication, Government Spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary yesterday 21 September, 2017 during a press conference.

“Distinguished Journalists
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Within the space of two weeks, terrorists claiming to be armed factions of the secessionist movements in the South-West and North-West Regions, who extensively and methodically premeditated their actions since September 5, 2017 hosted by websites abroad, have implemented their threats.
On 11 September 2017, an explosive device was activated in the town of Bamenda, targeting a patrol of the National Gendarmerie at the place called "Mobil Nkwen".
On 16 September 2017, a Molotov cocktail was directed against a dormitory of the Sacred Heart College in Mankon, still in the city of Bamenda, by two terrorists who had escaped, intended to burn innocent children who were supposed to be in that dormitory. Fortunately, this other terrorist act was perpetrated when the targeted children were praying outside the dormitory.
Nevertheless, substantial damage was recorded, with whole buildings being burnt to ashes. Meanwhile, it is necessary to hail the remarkable solidarity move of the populations, parents and the alumni of this institution, who spontaneously mobilized themselves to make a financial contribution of CFA 12,000,000 francs, for the immediate repair of the burnt buildings.
On Wednesday, September 21, 2017, at 8:30 am, a bomb was activated against a police patrol, at the Hospital Round About, next to the Bamenda Regional Hospital. The firing of the bomb was triggered by an electrical device operated from a mobile phone and two detonators, injuring three elements of the police force. They are Mr ANYE ANDANG Justin, Senior Police Constable, victim of two serious fractures in the arm and one in the tibia; Mr FOKOU Joël and Mr BIAMOU Loïc, both Police Constables, victims of hearing trauma and post-explosive concussions. The victims were immediately placed under intensive medical supervision.
As soon as he was informed of the situation, the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Supreme Commander of the Security Forces, ordered right from New York where he is taking part in the Session of the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations, that special measures be taken by the Defence and Security Forces, to strengthen the security of persons and property, and that special provisions be put in place so as to ensure greater security for schools 24 hours a day.
Under the coordination of the Governor of the North-West Region, a crisis unit made up of administrative officials and Defence and Security Forces has been set up to assess the situation and implement, under the supervision of government authorities in charge of defence and security, the appropriate measures commensurate to the gravity of the situation.
Let me remind that on August 2 and 3, 2017, the services of the Regional Delegation for National Security of the North-West had already, in their control operations, arrested five individuals in the town of Mbengwi, Momo Division in the North-West Region.
The exploitation of these individuals resulted in the seizure of a huge military arsenal comprising semi-automatic firearms, night vision equipment with laser rangefinder, glasses and a shielding fire episcope, bipods and tripods for precision weapons, chargers for sniper rifles, explosive charge containers and explosive charge chemicals, detonator cords, explosive device switches, timers and other equipment for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices and firearms.
The initial results of the investigation launched in this regard established that the members of the commando arrested were preparing to carry out attacks against the Defence and Security Forces, military officials and administrative authorities.
Indeed, at the time of his arrest on August 2 and 3, the commando was planning to storm a police barrier.
Distinguished Journalists,
It is precisely in this context whereby our Defence and security were being stigm...