4 a.m.

Pitch black outside.

Taxi picked us up.

Crazy time of day.

Streets of Yaounde practicially empty.

No traffic = no delays.

Fourty-five minute trip shrunk down to fifteen. 

Observed a hitherto unknown phenonomon.

Highly trained, well skilled, dead serious policemen stand in groups of four to six at stratigic interesections.

All vehicles (which includes ALL vehicles) are pulled over.

Police on high alert surround the car.

Flashlights shinned in our eyes.

Request to see our identity cards. 

Waved us on our way.

Advanced to next group of deadly serious policemen.

Follow same procedure.

Arrived at bus company in record time (police checks notwithstanding).

Marveled at the level of security during hours normally spent in bed.

Didn't used to be like this in the dark of night.

All as a result of Boka Haram.

Grateful for a country that takes the job of protecting their citizens and we expats seriously.