Two persons were gunned down today in Buea, south west region of Cameroon during a battle between government forces and separatist fighters.
The victims, a taxi driver and farmer had been going about their daily activities when tragedy struck.
“They had left Muea and were heading to Bokova when they got shot,” a source told MMI.
Identifying their shooters however remained hard: “we cannot say who shot them because there was a confrontation between the military and the separatist fighters. The fighters came out in their numbers and it was not easy. The victims unfortunately got caught in the crossfire,” he stated, adding that three taxis incurred damages.
An explosive is also said to have gone off not far from the Molyko Omnisport stadium where team Mali was training ahead of its encounter set for later in the day in Limbe against Tunisia.
While no player or team official was hurt, the training session immediately ended as the team scurried for safety.
Reports say at the same time, a military unit was detached to Muea on the outskirts of Buea where separatists had been raining gunshots and had blocked the highway.
A fierce gun battle is said to have ensued with the security forces eventually restored.
Residents have however remained indoors for most of the day for fear of their lives.
Several business premises have also remained closed.
Match continues unabated
Despite the threats from separatists and attacks earlier in the day, AFCON matches went on unperturbed. Hundreds of fans turned up at the Ngueme stadium in Limbe to watch Group F games where Mali beat Tunisia 1-0.
This, MMI gathered, was despite heavy gunshots by security forces in Buea believed to be a deterrent for any separatists willing to disrupt the game in the neighboring town.
