Mendong-Yaounde — A gang of four armed bandits are alleged to have broken into the Government Bilingual High School Mendong campus on Monday November 12, 2012 and made away with equipment worth close to FCFA 14 million.

Reports say the bandits broke into the campus at about 8:00 p.m. with the help a black pick-up vehicle. Residents close to the school said the bandits succeeded in immobilising one of the night watchmen who was on duty while they carried out the hideous act. The gang broke into the offices of the principal, the bursar and the store accountant. The stolen equipment include musical instruments, fixed telephones, microscopes, printers, video projector and sports equipment, among others.

A source said the school had three night watchmen and one of them was seen with the bandits in the black pick-up vehicle. He said the night watchman even asked the other bandits to shoot at the night watchman who was on duty. The third night watchman came into the campus at the time when the vehicle was leaving and he thought the vehicle belonged to an official of the school. He only got to know of the incident after the gang had left. The watchmen informed a staff of the school who lives near the campus and he informed the Principal. The elements of the Gendarmerie Brigade in Mendong were immediately informed.

The Principal of the school, Marie Crescence Owona said the Government High School Mendong has been attacked by thieves on four occasions. On September 11, thieves broke into all offices of the administrative block and made away with equipment. Last week, thieves broke into the library and stole several books. However, the gendarmes are carrying out investigations to find the culprits.