By Safiu Kehinde
Not only had a curfew been imposed and armoured vehicles deployed across the streets of Cameroon, organizers of this year’s African Cup of Nations tournament have also made available, a bullet-proof vest for the tournament’s mascot while also ensuring maximum security for players amid attack threat from a terrorist group.
With few hours left before the commencement of Africa’s biggest football tournament, the safety of players and fans have seen organizers take precautionary measures in the face of civil unrest and activities of terrorist groups in the host country, Cameroon.
The tournament will see the likes of Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane, Eduoard Mendy, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Wilfred Zaha, and 34 other English Premier League stars represent their respective countries.
Aside concerns over losing vast African players to the tournament, Premier League and the UK government have also expressed their concern over the safety of the players.
According to The Mirror, the UK authorities have issued warning over taking the tournament far north of Cameroon which they believe is controlled by terror groups, Islamic State and Boko Haram.
Rebecca Tinsley, a human rights researcher, also commented on the situation in Cameroon. “It is a horrible situation. The rebels are serious with attacks,” she said.
All these came as a result of rebels and IS terrorists’ threat to launch bomb attacks and kidnap during the tournament.
Over the past years, Cameroon have experienced series of bombing which The Mirror accounted to be 80 – including the one launched into a classroom, resulting to the death of a five-year-old girl. Also, a four- year-old civil war between English-speaking rebels and French-speaking government had left over 3500 people dead, and millions displaced.
Meanwhile, a Cameroonian Senior Security Commander, Engamba Ledoux has assured of peaceful and smooth running of the tournament. “Measures are being put in place to ensure AFCON goes smoothly,” he said.
