Brigadier General Pierre Louba Zal, Commander of the third gendarmerie region, has recently initiated the tenth phase of Operation Adano (Adamaoua and North), devised to counter widespread banditry across peri-urban, rural, and cross-border zones. The current focus is on the apprehension of hostage-takers, with active participation from local populations. 

"We are extending another invitation to the community to continue collaborating. While their efforts have been commendable, we encourage them to further engage," he said during a press briefing. He remains hopeful that this appeal will receive a positive and supportive response. The senior officer emphasizes the importance of the communities sharing information and urges them not to hesitate to report any suspicious activities.

Since the commencement of Operation Adano, the gendarmerie personnel of the third gendarmerie region, responsible for overseeing the North and Adamaoua regions, with the exception of the Mayo Louti division, have effectively managed to curb road blockades and cattle theft, as they acknowledge. However, challenges persist with the occurrence of abductions for ransom, which remain prevalent in the Benoué and Mayo Rey divisions in the North region. 

"We are encountering pockets of resistance in the northern region, and regrettably, these pockets of resistance are attributed to the various collusions we are witnessing on the ground," said Brigadier General Pierre Louba Zal. The gendarmerie points to recent incidents, such as the abduction of Cameroonian and Chadian traders in the Touboro area of the Mayo Rey division last month, as evidence supporting their observations.

Michel Ange Nga