Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, and other ex-Super Eagles players have been issued death threats by the Ambazonia fighters, a Cameroonian separatist group.
The separatist group issued death threats to the Nigerian football stars warning them not to accept the invitation extended by the President of the Cameroonian Football Association, Samuel Eto’o, to attend a commemorative tournament in Victoria City, Cameroon, on Thursday, November 30, 2023, they will be slaughtered.
The warning was sent in a phone message to reporters by Comrade Chris Anon, who claimed to be the head of the Ambazonia Interim Government situated in the United States of America.
Eto’o invited foreign football stars, particularly those from Nigeria, to the event in order to foster partnerships and the development of football in Cameroon.
The Restoration Fighters of the Ambazonia Interim Government, who are fighting for Southwest Cameroon’s independence, have urged Nigeria’s former national football stars not to accept Eto’o’s invitation.
They highlighted that ignoring the warning would jeopardize their safety.
The event, according to Anon, was a mockery of the Ambazonian people.
On Thursday, November 30, 2023, the separatist organization ordered a total lockdown of Victoria City and the whole of Fago County.
The group warned residents to stay indoors, stressing that a violation of the order would be met with death.
The voice message in part says, “The Restoration Fighters of Ambazonia control Victoria and the entire county and are committed to ensuring the lockdown.
“Our determination to safeguard the integrity of the Ambazonia independence struggle will not be deterred. We show no mercy to anyone who attempts to disregard the lockdown.
“It is essential to emphasize the severity of the situation and to caution against actions that could be misconstrued as aligning with any forms of propaganda.
“The football match proposed by Samuel Eto’o is very controversial; it is a misguided and insensitive initiative.
“That decision to involve international players from Nigeria is deeply troubling.
“The timing and location of the tournament give rise to suspicions.
“We seriously and strongly caution Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, and others who are promoting and preparing to participate in the tournament to reconsider their involvement as their participation may unintentionally result in bloodshed.
“We cannot help but question Samuel Eto’o’s decision to organize this tournament in Victoria, an Ambazonia territory that has been marred by war for over seven years, for which 30,000 Ambazonians have been killed.
“It raises legitimate concerns about potential exploitation of the situation for purposes that are not in the best interests of Victoria and Ambazonia in general.”
