Police and gendarmes were deployed in all Yaounde neighbourhoods to protect lives and property.

New Year Eve 2016 will remain a memorable day for many Yaounde inhabitants. What was particular about the night was the high level security in the capital city. Police and gendarme officers were deployed in all neighbourhoods to ensure security of people and property. They could be found in strategic areas such as junctions, church entrances, commercial centres and areas considered as hideouts for criminals, among others.

The presence of joint patrol teams of gendarmes and police officers was enough encouragement for people to celebrate the evening in peace and tranquillity. At the Ya-Fe trade fair grounds on the Yaounde Conference Centre hill, a good number of officers were at work. A team of police officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit told Cameroon Tribune that no case of robbery was reported. The team kept watch over car parks, the surroundings and ensured that people boarded taxis safely as they returned home from the celebration. In order to ensure maximum security, a group of police officers in mufti was equally at the site.  

A huge crowd gathered at the Yaounde Central Post Office Roundabout at midnight. Men, women and children came out in their numbers to celebrate, among them traders, photographers and drivers. Senior Superintendent of Police, Yves Chedon, said no cases of robbery were recorded. The story was similar at Biyem-Assi Rond Point Express as police and gendarmes worked hard to ensure security. A tour of some police and gendarmerie posts revealed that there were no cases of robbery. “It was a calm night,” said one police officer.