Some 400 vigilante groups will be created in Mfoundi division of the centre region.

The decision was made public by the Senior Division officer for Mfoundi, Jean Claude Tsila, shortly after the governors’ conference in Yaoundé that focused on security measures ahead of end of year festivities.

Prior to the announcement, some groups of Yaoundé volunteers organised themselves to keep watch over their communities in line with the concept, 'Security for the population, by the population, with the population'.

In Yaoundé’s Briketerie neighbourhood, a one-time no-go zone because of the risk of arm robbery especially during the festive period, the atmosphere of fear is giving way to hope and security guaranteed by a vigilante group that works all round the clock.

The group of about 30 volunteers, mostly school dropouts or take evening lectures, are closely supervised by the third class chief of Ekoudou III, Aboubakar Elhadj Nabaniau.

He said the Divisional officer for Yaoundé II encourages their effort in ensuring security in their community.

At night, the coordinator of the vigilante group, Mahaman Ngambou, a notable of Ekoudou III hands out instructions to his troop, armed with whistles some with clubs. He reminds them to kept watch and report any suspicious moves to the police that is on the alert to intervene and to blow the whistles to raise alarm.

Some of the youths are in uniform while others are not. The coordinator noted that it is intended to facilitate surveillance, especially at night. He said the boys have been organised to work in three groups, morning, afternoon, and night in order to keep watch over business and homes in the locality.

The third class chief of Ekoudou III, Aboubakar Elhadj Nabaniau said the youth have been educated to understand that the exercise is first a foremost to secure their own homes and relatives.

The presence of the youth who patrol the streets day and night is reassuring, residents say. The barbeque manager “Ministere de Soya” and “Cent quand - Cent quand” say they are at ease doing business till down as the committee keeps watch.

A few kilometres away, in Madagascar another neighbourhood of Yaoundé, the traditional ruler of Mesakwaba in Mvog, Tsungui Mballa Clan, said the vigilante committee is not yet fully operational on the field but they have put in place a strategy of intelligence gathering.

The 400 vigilante groups to be set up in Mfoundi division will boost the actions of the security force that are already keeping watch over Yaoundé.