Motorcycle adventurer and YouTuber, ItchyBoots, has sparked outrage after sharing her experience with alleged corruption by a Cameroonian officer. In a video posted on Facebook, ItchyBoots, whose real name is Noraly, recounted being stopped at a checkpoint and accused of missing a stamp on her international driver’s license.
In her Facebook post, Noraly recounted the incident, stating, “I had to pay all the officers on both the Central African Republic and Cameroon side for the immigration and customs stamps (first time this happened), and so I had very little money left. So when I reached this checkpoint and was falsely accused of missing a stamp on my international driver license (you never get stamps on that..) – I had to stand my ground.”
Crucially, international driver’s licences do not require stamps, and Noraly refused to be intimidated. Her video footage captured the tense exchange with the officer, who ultimately allowed her to pass.
The video shared by ItchyBoots captures the confrontation with the Cameroonian officer, who, unaware that international driver’s licences do not require stamps, attempted to exploit the situation. Noraly stood her ground, skillfully navigating the encounter and eventually driving away unharmed.
Disturbed by the incident, a concerned Cameroonian, speaking to Mimi Mefo Info (MMI), expressed their dismay at the corrupt behavior of law enforcement officers. They urged the Cameroonian authorities to investigate the matter and take appropriate action against the officer involved. The individual highlighted Norally’s past encounter in Nigeria, where two police officers were dismissed after attempting to extort money from her.
“I am coming to you because of how corrupt our ‘law’ officers behave. Imagine a white tourist who has been moving around the world with her bike and reentered Cameroon from the Central African Republic, and the Gendarme officer was trying to squeeze money from her, but she stood her ground that the document is correct,” the concerned Cameroonian told MMI.
ItchyBoots, through her experiences and documentation, has become an inadvertent whistleblower, revealing instances of corruption and demanding accountability. The incident in Cameroon echoes her previous encounter in Nigeria, emphasising the need for systemic changes to address corruption within law enforcement agencies.
It remains to be seen if Cameroonian authorities will take action against the officer in question. However, Noraly’s story has undoubtedly struck a chord, highlighting the fight against corruption and the power of individuals to stand up for their rights. The call for the authorities to investigate and sanction the officer involved resonates as a plea for justice and a step towards a more transparent and accountable system.
