Gunmen attack Kumba GCE Centre, two students kidnapped

-One gunman neutralised by security forces

-One student reportedly still under captivity

Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

One of the two upper sixth students reportedly kidnapped during the gun attack at the GCE examination centre at Government High School, GHS Ngamlikum in Kumba, on Wednesday last week, has been freed. She had serious wounds on her body suggesting she had been severely beating and gang-raped by her abductors.

            The girl whose names we are withholding for professional reasons was freed in the evening of the same day she was kidnapped.

            We gathered that before her release her mother had pleaded with the abductors to free her, saying she has no money to give as ransom.

            The girl’s release was confirmed by her mother, who stormed a Pentecostal church in Kumba to give thanks to God for securing the life of her daughter.

            The girl was later rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Several medical tests were conducted to ascertain that she had not been infected through her interaction with the kidnappers.

            At the time of going to press the male student who was abducted together with the girl had not been freed. The abductors demanding ransom from his family, we learned.

Inhabitants of Ngamlikum quarters said the GCE examination centre was attacked at about 9am in the morning. They said some gunmen stormed the school with a private vehicle as candidates were busy writing their exams (O levels Food and nutrition paper 1). 

            The residents said as the gunmen launched the attack, other unfamiliar faces were spotted to have taken cover in nearby bushes around the school.

Sources said before the attack, some of the gang members disguised as students had been parading the vicinity of the school. 

            The gunmen were forced to flee by a reinforcement of soldiers that stormed the area in an armoured vehicle. The ensuing shootout lasted for about half an hour. One of the gunmen was killed in the crossfire.

            The GCE candidates were later relocated to Government Bilingual High School, GBHS Up-station Kumba where they continued the examination.

            The deafening sound of gunshots that morning left parents of examination candidates frightened. Many rushed to the scene to pick up their children but were reassured of the safety of the kids.