A separatist group has issued a warning to Nigeria’s football icons who received an invitation from the President of the Cameroonian Football Association, Samuel Eto’o. The invitation is for their participation in a ceremonial tournament set to take place in Victoria City, Cameroon, on Thursday, 30 November 2023. The group, known as the Restoration Fighters of the Ambazonia Interim Government, has cautioned former national football captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, and other ex-Super Eagles stars against honouring the invitation. This stark warning was conveyed through a voice message attributed to one Comrade Chris Anon, who identifies as the head of the Ambazonia Interim Government stationed in the United States of America. Anon emphasized that security cannot be guaranteed for the players should they disregard the caution.
Eto’o’s intention in inviting international football stars, including those from Nigeria, is to foster relationships and advance football development in Cameroon. However, the Ambazonian separatist movement perceives the tournament as a mockery and has decreed a total lockdown on Victoria City and the entire Fago County on the specified date. The group has explicitly instructed residents to remain indoors, cautioning that any violation of the directive will be met with fatal consequences.
The voice message from the separatist group further underscored their unwavering commitment to ensuring the enforcement of the lockdown, with zero tolerance for non-compliance. It also expressed grave concerns over the tournament, labelling it as a misguided and insensitive undertaking. The separatists voiced suspicions about the timing and location of the event and strongly urged the Nigerian football stars, particularly Jay Jay Okocha and Daniel Amokachi, to reconsider their participation. They warned of potential unintended bloodshed consequent upon their involvement.
The separatist group also directed pointed questions at Samuel Eto’o regarding his choice of Victoria, an area embroiled in a seven-year war, as the venue for the tournament, raising doubts about any ulterior motives not in the best interests of the region. The group highlighted the loss of over 30,000 lives in the conflict, further intensifying their apprehensions about the tournament, its location, and its potential exploitation.
