The central location of administrative offices in Buea is under a systematic attack by hoodlums since 18 January, as they have successively burgled SOWEDA and State Counsel’s offices.

In the night of January 28, 2015, thieves made their way into the head office of the South West Development Authority (SOWEDA), ransacking some five key offices. They opened all drawers and made away with five laptop computers, one of which belongs to SOWEDA. In addition, the burglars carried away an empty safe.

According to security guards, the thieves arrived the scene at about 2 am in a car, then parked in front of the gate, giving the impression that they were SOWEDA drivers. They hooted and when the guards inquired to know who they were, they replied that they were SOWEDA workers who had come to park the car which they took out for work. In all confidence, one of the guards opened the gate and the Carina E car was driven in with five occupants. One occupanst came out and held the guard at gunpoint before proceeding to break into the various offices.

Earlier in the night of 18 breaking 19 January this year, thieves forced their way into the Buea State Counsel’s office through the roof and ransacked the offices, including that of the State Counsel, Mrs. Chibili née Lebong. She told Cameroon Tribune yesterday, January 29, 2015, in her office that the guard on duty was evidently absent that fateful night. One curious thing about these burglaries is they took place in the central part of the town that has key security installations.

According to Kange Elinge, SOWEDA Director of General Affairs, the offices of the General Manager, Finance Controller, Accountant, Finance and Budget and General Affairs, were burgled. He revealed that the main safe in the office of the Finance Controller was carried away, fortunately, it was empty as the Controller does not keep funds. It should be recalled that the Supreme State Audit has taken office in SOWEDA Buea since November 2014 for their work in the South West Region.