Three Bamenda police officers have been awarded and promoted for their bravery for preventing terrorists’ attacks on May 20.

Inhabitants of the town gathered at the Commercial Avenue to witness the ‘first in history’ event, yesterday.

When Martin Mbarga Nguélé, Director General of National Security (DGSN) arrived on the scene, alongside the Governor of the region, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, the ceremonial ground in Bamenda was already lively with sounds by the police brass band and many dance groups.

At the grandstand, several personalities were present. One of such was the notable presence of the Chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Ni John Fru Ndi.

As concerns the protocol phase and completed courtesies, Martin Mbarga Nguélé had to descend from time to time from the rostrum of honour to perform the ritual for the renewal of ranks.

Thus, Joseph Guillaume Eteme, a former police inspector student, was integrated under inspectors of police and reclassified to the rank of 1st degree police inspector, 3rd level, index 325, with retained seniority of 10 months 26 days. At the same time, he was promoted with an exceptional title to the rank of 2nd grade police inspector, 2nd level, index 345 with a conserved length of nine months 16 days.

As for Alfred Taiwe, a senior police inspector, he was promoted with an exceptional rank of police officer of 1st grade, 4th level, and index 445 with retained seniority of one month 17 days.

Vincent Bienvenu Eloundou, justifying the conditions of seniority and favourable rating enjoys the 4th step of his grade, index 355 with retained seniority of a month and 5 days.

Aside these three police officers who received these distinctions as an exceptional title for their bravery in the complete dismantling of the gang of criminals; others had a satisfactory remark from the president of the Republic.

They include 2nd grade Officer, André Marie Ondo; 2nd grade peace keeper, Clément Mbédé Nama; and the 1st grade peacekeeper, Gideon Robwondze. Commissioner Ade Ernest Ndifor, major police officers Tatah Kenneth Njiowei and Valéry Nlongo Ellobe each received a letter of congratulations for efforts against terrorism.

“A group of ill-intentioned individuals were preparing to commit attacks using explosives they had manufactured to cause bloodshed in some cities of the country during the festivities, as well as on the occasion of the official examination of the school year that recently ended.They therefore planned attacks that would have certainly destroyed the life of many citizens. "But thanks to the prompt and efficient reaction of police officers, this criminal and macabre project was foiled and avoided", said Martin Mbarga Nguélé.