Rampant Insecurity in Douala: Woman Assaulted and Robbed by Armed Gang

In yet another incident highlighting the increasing insecurity in Douala, a woman fell victim to an assault at her residence in the Kotto neighborhood early on Saturday morning. The assailants, a gang comprised of two females, an armed military personnel carrying an assault rifle, and a young man wielding a dagger, ransacked her home.

The victim reported that the criminals, who stormed into her residence around 8:30 - 9:00 AM, assaulted her before making off with a sum of 3,600,000 CFA, her passport, and a watch. The entire operation lasted less than 15 minutes. Upon their departure, the woman raised an alarm, attracting neighbors and passersby who recognized one of the female assailants. Subsequent Facebook searches provided photos of the suspects.

This incident adds to the growing insecurity in Douala. Previously, on September 24, armed individuals invaded a meeting of the "Femmes Solidaires et Entrepreneuses" association, robbing them of 1.4 million CFA, the result of 11 months of contributions. The assailants, armed with knives and a firearm, attacked during the distribution of funds after the meeting. One victim was stabbed in the shoulder while resisting, and the entire contribution was stolen.

The escalating incidents of crime underscore the urgent need for increased security measures and law enforcement efforts in the city.