The obsequies of Cameroon’s musical legend, Anne Marie Nzié on Saturday, July 23, 2016, in Bibia, Lolodorf in Ocean Division of the South Region, drew large groups of mourners from across the country.

As a result, the National Gendarmerie organised a special road safety campaign on the Yaounde-Sombo highway in the Centre Region. Col. Ntamag Emile, who supervised the operation, said the aim was to ensure the safe travel to and back from Bibia by dignitaries and other mourners.

A unit led by Captain Nkenglefac Charles Forsah was stationed at Ngoung, about 15 km to Boumnyebel from the Yaounde end, while another was at Sombo, about 10 km to the same town from the Douala end of the highway under the command of Col. Mbock Paul. There were also patrol teams on motorbikes to keep an eye on erring motorists all along the highway.

At Boumnyebel, the busy junction town from where the road branches off to Eseka and then Bibia, Lolodorf, which most mourners took, police and gendarme units were deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Captain Nkenglefac Charles told Cameroon Tribune that most of the erring motorists booked for various traffic offenses claimed to be going or returning from Anne Marie Nzié’s funeral; thus, should be excused from paying the relevant fines.

However, gendarmes did not believe these stories and insisted on the payment of the fines, with treasury receipts issued.

Those who could not pay had their statements taken and the reports forwarded to the State Counsel at Eseka in Nyong and Kellé Division of the Centre Region for action.

At the Sombo Checkpoint, gendarmes were busy in the rains checking vehicle particulars and those of travellers, cautioning motorists to drive carefully.

Col. Ntamag insisted on continuous sensitisation of motorists as long as there is deviant conduct on the road. “Given that it is rainy season with visibility often inhibited, motorists need to drive slowly in order to arrive at their destinations safely.

The authorities have taken note that most fatal accidents in Cameroon occur on the Yaounde-Douala, Douala-Bafoussam, and Bafoussam-Yaounde stretches of the highways; thus the sustained attention gendarmes pay to travelling on these highways,” Col. Ntamag Emile noted.