Gendarmes and police from Yaounde have reinforced security in the locality after a disgruntled hunter, still at large, shot dead three people last weekend.
Life is now back to normal in Bot-Makak, headquarters of the subdivision of the same name in the Nyong and Kelle Division of Centre Region. This follows the incidents of January 1-2, 2016, after a disgruntled hunter, Mbem Bell Marcel, shot dead three people over a hunting rifle hiring dispute. The little town is located some 105 km from Yaounde, off the Yaounde-Douala highway.
The first incident happened in Majenda-Hegbe in Bot-Makak in the night of January 1, 2016, after a dispute erupted between Mbem, 35, and Nyebe Oum Jacques, the person who hired him the 12-calibre hunting rifle. The two did not agree on the sharing of the booty from hunting. Still fuming from the argument and fight that ensued, Mbem later returned and shot dead Nyebe and a lady on a bike he thought was pursuing him as he fled. The following day, another corpse from bullet wounds was found in Mintaba village. It is thought the person was shot dead by the fleeing fugitive hunter. Meanwhile, an aunt of Mbem Bell Marcel, on hearing of the killings, collapsed and died.
Speaking to Cameroon Tribune on phone yesterday, January 6, 2016, the Divisional Officer, DO, for Bot-Makak Subdivision, Anuafor Cletus Asongwe, reassured the public that last weekend’s incident was an isolated one. He said it was not the case of a mad man going on a shooting spree as was reported in some quarters. The DO disclosed that security had been tightened following the arrival of gendarme reinforcements from Yaounde. Meanwhile, troops are continuing with the manhunt for Mbem Bell Marcel, who is believed to have fled into the forest, Anuafor Cletus Asongwe pointed out.
He said there were no threats of reprisals from families of those killed after the authorities held crisis talks with them. Such discussions are continuing with the people as efforts continue to track down the suspect. Meanwhile, relatives of Mbem Bell Marcel have since fled their homes after he threatened to kill them. In all, three people were shot dead, one died of shock, while two survived gunshots. Mbem’s aunt who died of shock was buried while three corpses are still in the mortuary.
