A multinational force freed 900 hostages held by Nigeria’s Boko Haram extremists, killed more than 100 fighters and arrested 100 others last week, Cameroon’s government spokesman said Wednesday.
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He said multi-national forces including the Nigerian army and Chadian soldiers were involved in the operation in the far northern border area with Nigeria, from November 26 to 28.
The vigilantes, said regional governor Midjiyawa Bakari, provide “substantial backup” on the intelligence front and some are being equipped with metal detectors to help them ward off fresh assaults.
Border towns close to Cameroon’s border with Nigeria have been the victims of numerous terror attacks in recent months with Boko Haram, claiming responsibility for the majority of them.
Attacks have increased recently in Cameroon’s far north region since the country is part of an 8,700-strong regional task force aimed at defeating Boko Haram.
Joint operations between Cameroon and the other nations have been hindered following the death of two soldiers by landmine in the village of Gangse the Monday before the raid.
He said the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists took advantage of the influx of IDPs to the camp and infiltrated it, in order to wreck more havoc among the society.
On Tuesday at least three people were killed when two suicide bombers attacked in the region.
However, the insurgents have been hit hard by military campaigns carried out on both sides of the Cameroon-Nigeria border since the start of this year.
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Usman added: “The boy also pointed out one other Boko Haram senior member…at the (Dalori) camp”, which he said highlighted the need for proper screening of the displaced people.
