Student and Police Officer Injured in Armed Attack During GCE Exam in Bamenda

On Tuesday morning, an armed attack disrupted the General Certificate of Education (GCE) exams at St. Frederick Comprehensive High School in Mankon, Bamenda. Security forces repelled the attack, but a student and a police officer were injured in the crossfire.

The attack occurred at approximately 7:46 am along the Big Mankon Cathedral road. The gunmen fired shots in an attempt to disrupt the exams, which were taking place under heightened security as a result of the ongoing separatist conflict in the region.

Both the injured student and the police officer were shot in the leg. They were immediately rushed to the Bamenda Regional Hospital for treatment. The hospital is already treating 11 people who survived a separatists' grenade attack that killed two on Saturday.

Why this matters: The attack on a school during exams highlights the ongoing struggle for stability and security in the region, particularly in areas affected by separatist conflicts. If left unchecked, such incidents could lead to a decline in education standards, increased fear and anxiety among students, and a broader destabilization of the region.

The school's management condemned the attack, describing it as a 'macabre and barbaric act' against an institution dedicated to educating children. 'Thanks to the vigilance of the security officers on guard, the armed gun men were pushed back with gunfire retaliation,' said Lonan Joseph, a top official of St. Frederick Comprehensive High School.

Local authorities have launched investigations to track down the attackers and ensure the continued safety of students and staff throughout the examination period. No separatist group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The city of Bamenda and other parts of the North West region have witnessed several attacks on civilians this month, amid a protracted armed separatist conflict that began in 2017. Separatists have often targeted students and teachers and have been opposing public exams like the GCE.

Despite the ongoing violence, the GCE exams are proceeding under strict security measures. Several examination centers have been merged into larger centers to enhance security.

The attack on St. Frederick Comprehensive High School is part of a broader pattern of violence in the region. Recent incidents include a grenade attack at a popular drinking spot, an explosion at a bar in Bamenda, and the assassination of Ngong Innocent, the Mayor of Belo.

Rev. Fr. Akum Innocent Wefon, the Catholic Regional Superior of Mill Hill Missionaries for Cameroon, has remarked on the ongoing crisis, stating that the conflict in the English-speaking regions shows no signs of ending soon.

The ongoing investigation underscores the critical concern for the safety of students and educational institutions in Bamenda and the broader North West region, particularly in areas affected by separatist conflicts.

Key Takeaways

• Armed attackers disrupted GCE exams at St. Frederick Comprehensive High School in Bamenda, Cameroon.
• One student and one police officer were injured in the crossfire.
• Security forces repelled the attack, and investigations are underway to track down the attackers.
• The incident highlights the ongoing struggle for stability and security in the region.
• GCE exams are proceeding under strict security measures despite the ongoing violence.