Security Alert: Ekounou market under police surveillance

Yaoundé police on Friday morning invaded the Ekounou market on suspicion that some bad elements were hiding there.

Hundreds of people were left immobilized, tensed and had their lips sealed out of fear. Workers, patients, who visited the Ekounou hospital, and housewives, who went to the market were the people present during the raid. Most shops had not opened even after 8am.

Some residents stayed at home. "It was not safe to get out," said a local resident. There were thorough searches. Plastic bags were checked to identify the contents. Each person was asked to present a National Identity Card at the checkpoint. People who submitted their cards were made to go. "My sister and I were on our way to Ekounou market this morning. She had her ID card with her but I did not know why,” a young girl complained hysterically.

The crowd were also prohibited to move because "there was danger where the people had gathered,” explained a police officer.

According to some sources, the police stormed the area at around 3am. "I make call-box here all night. Yesterday in the morning, I saw some men in uniform who were well-armed. It seemed like a real action movie. Out of fright, I packed my merchandise and went back home,” a young man said.

The crowd who were perplexed raised several questions: “What exactly are they looking for? What's happening? Where are they going with people on board?”

They said they did not get reliable answers because the policemen rudely told them they were tracking down “hemp smokers.” Others argued that they were just at the scene to ensure safety.

When the raid was over at 9:30am, activities returned to normal as usual. However the hundreds of people taken by the security forces were still grouped at the courtyard of the Ekounou XV district police station, waiting to be interrogated.