According to police sources, an unidentified group of about 200 young people attacked and vandalized the Police station allegedly permitting about four detainees to flee.

There were only three officers on duty at the time of the arrest and reinforcement troops arrived the scene when the attackers had vamoosed, a police officer in the town told Cameroo-Info.net.

 The mob also burnt down classrooms at Government Bilingual High School Mutengene and barricaded some roads before evaporating.

Wednesday’s violence occurred as the South West region in general and Fako in particular is finalising preparations for the 2017 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope scheduled for Saturday February 25 in Buea.

Observers have been expressing fears about this year’s race following months of protests and violence rocking the two Anglophone regions of the country.

Some have opined that the new wave of violence in Mutengene is a bad signal for the race as some 600 athletes from within and without the country are expected to start arriving the town for the event.