By a correspondent in Yaounde
There are fears Boko Haram terrorists have entered Yaounde |
Panic has gripped Cameroon's capital,
Yaounde, after a confidential letter from the country's defense minister leaked
to social media stating that Boko Haram terrorists had arrived in the city.
The
letter from Joseph Beti Assomo to top military officers called for vigilance
and additional deployment of troops to ministerial buildings and public areas,
such as markets, churches and schools. Military officials said the leak
occurred because of lapses in their information system.
In
light of the information, some residents have decided to lie low. Businesswoman
Belinda Tatah said that when she heard Assomo had urged the military to stop a
possible terrorist attack in the capital, she decided to avoid all public
places and gatherings.
"You
know, if the minister of defense signs a confidential note that there are
terrorists in town, any normal human being should be afraid," Tatah said.
"That is why I have decided not to go out, because I am too scared."
The
letter called for increased security at government buildings, army barracks,
military hospitals and “crowded" public places. It also called for
collaboration between the public and vigilante groups.
Security staff deployed
Adrien
Njoya, an official at a private security company that filters access to major
hotels in Yaounde, said he deployed more of his staff when they were informed
of the threats. He said that because the enemy was reportedly at work, he had
asked his staff to thoroughly search everyone, even their brothers and sisters
who come visiting. He said everyone visiting the hotel should be identified.
Assomo
instructed the head of the brigade that protects citizens in the capital to be
vigilant and to track suspects immediately. He said intelligence gathering
should be intensified immediately and that economic activity, political
institutions, diplomatic missions and all foreigners living in Cameroon should
be protected. He said terrorism threats in Yaounde were real.
Since
their insurgency spilled over into Cameroon three years ago, Boko Haram
terrorists have operated only on the country's northern border with Nigeria. No
attacks have been reported in the southern parts of the central African state.
Historically,
large open markets, hotels, parks and sporting venues have been targeted by
terrorists. Some countries have advised their citizens to maintain restrictions
on travel to northern Cameroon, especially travel within 100 kilometers of the
border with Nigeria’s Adamawa and Borno states.
Diplomatic
missions, including the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, urged expatriates to exercise
caution.
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