Maintaining law & order: Elite police units detail specialised operations, urge public collaboration.

This was during a special media tour to these facilities on Tuesday, May 13. The tour was undertaken as part of activities by the General Delegation for National Security, GDNS, to mark the commemoration of the 53rd edition of the National Day on May 20. 

The commanders emphasized unique mandates of the units, operational complexities, and the indispensable partnership they share with citizens. 

GSO: The muscles of the police

The Commander of the GSO, Police Commissioner Pigui Ngosso Gassien Eloi, traced the unit’s establishment to Presidential Decree No.189/PR of February 1, 1989, later harmonized by Decree No. 2012/540 of November 19, 2012, as a solution to escalating criminal activity and terrorism in the late 1980s.

Commissioner Pigui said the unit has been achieving its mission through specialized commando and anti-commando operations as well as targeted interventions for the liberation of hostages, often executed with swift and decisive security raid tactics. 

Beyond these primary objectives, Commissioner Pigui noted that the GSO undertakes various ancillary missions crucial for national security. 

He also delved into the operational framework of the GSO, detailing the three essential companies that support unit.

He mentioned the technical company, which plays a pivotal role in managing the unit's human resources, overseeing the rigorous and continuous training programs essential for their high-stakes operations, and handling the complex logistical demands of a specialized intervention force. 

He also cited the surveillance and intelligence gathering company, whose primary mission is to acquire critical information through specialized techniques. 

Commissioner Pigui stressed the indispensable nature of intelligence in their operations, highlighting that informed action is predicated on thorough data collection. 

He said the intervention and protection company, the operational backbone of the GSO, is responsible for executing the unit's diverse field operations. 

This company, he said, not only handles direct interventions in criminal and terrorist activities but also undertakes critical protection duties, safeguarding sensitive infrastructure, high-profile individuals, and special convoys.

Addressing the GSO's discreet public profile and low media visibility, Commissioner Pigui said their mission is to apprehend criminals and seize incriminating evidence. 

“We are not a unit that conducts police investigations. When we apprehend, we place the suspects at the disposal of the territorial units, which then carry out investigations,” the commissioner emphasized.

He noted that publicizing ongoing GSO operations could potentially compromise investigations. He reiterated that media briefings on such cases are best handled by the investigative units after their inquiries. 

Commissioner Pigui made a strong appeal for public cooperation, stressing the vital role of citizen tip-offs in their intelligence gathering efforts. 

He assured the public that the GSO is accessible 24/7 via the MTN phone number 675 04 40 04, published in the Cameroon Tribune newspaper, which he manages. 

According to the commissioner, the GSO conducts police operations, not investigations. The distinction, he stressed, is crucial, as the GSO often receives complaints related to issues like breach of trust, fraud, and theft, which fall under the purview of territorial police units, and are often left frustrated when redirected.

CCGMI, & the maintenance of law & order

The Commander of the CCGMI, Police Commissioner Ngo Mbenoun Ernestine, described the unit as the operational reserve of the GDNS, deployed directly by the General Delegate for National Security. 

She said the unit’s missions include maintaining and restoring public order, often intervening when local units are overwhelmed. 

Commissioner Ngo also highlighted the unit’s special missions alongside other security forces, notably in addressing the security crisis in the English-speaking regions and their involvement in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the northern regions. 

She recalled the unit’s deployment to the border with the Central African Republic during the Seleka and anti-Balaka conflict to assist in securing the national frontier. 

Commissioner Ngo concluded by affirming their unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety of both persons and property.

On his part, the Company Commander of the Third Company Base, CCGMI, Superintendent of Police Ndzi Emmanuel Nshukwi, elaborated on their operational procedures during public disturbances, showcasing their rapid mobilization and escalation protocols, including the deployment of armored vehicles and specialized intervention teams when facing armed threats. 

He highlighted CCGMI's national competence, allowing them to operate across Cameroon, unlike regional mobile intervention units, which they also oversee and train.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3449 of Thursday May 15, 2025