27 hostages rescued in Cameroon

(Baonghean.vn) - On Friday night/Saturday morning, October 11th, President Paul Biya announced that 27 Chinese and Cameroonian hostages who were kidnapped in May and July in northern Cameroon had been successfully rescued.

In a televised address on Saturday morning, the President of Cameroon stated, “The hostages abducted on May 16 in Waza (northern Cameroon) and on July 27 in Kolofata have been successfully rescued by authorities. Ten Chinese citizens, the wife of Cameroon’s Deputy Prime Minister Amadou Ali, the mayor of Kolofata, and other family members are all safe and sound.”

Cameroonian soldiers at a checkpoint on June 17, 2014, in Armchidé. Photo: Reinnier Kaze

Cameroonian authorities said the kidnapping was carried out by Boko Haram – a Nigerian Islamist militant group. This is an insurgency in neighboring Nigeria that has been operating since 2009. They have launched attacks across Cameroon's northern border, prompting the country to deploy troops to the area.

On the night of May 16th and the morning of May 17th, armed men believed to be Boko Haram attacked a factory where Chinese workers were employed. Prior to this, they had killed a group of Cameroonian soldiers along with 10 Chinese nationals.

On July 27, Boko Haram militants carried out two attacks targeting high-ranking Cameroonian government officials. They attacked the residence of Deputy Prime Minister Amadou Ali and abducted his wife. Simultaneously, the militants attacked the home of Mayor Seiny Boukar Lamine of Kolafata, abducting him and five other family members. At least 15 people were killed in these attacks.

Chu Thanh– Death 11/10