Boko Haram: Religious Group Kidnaps Wife of Cameroon Vice Prime Minister
Terrorist group Boko Haram has kidnapped the wife of the vice-prime minister of Cameroon. The Guardian reports at least three were killed during the attack in the northern town of Kolofata on Sunday according to Cameroon officials. The town mayor, who also serves as a religious leader, was also kidnapped in a separate attack at his home.
There is no immediate claim of responsibility, however the attacks follow the familiar trend of Boko Haram, which has been terrorizing the region for the past few years.
"I can confirm that the home of vice-prime minister Amadou Ali in Kolofata came under a savage attack from Boko Haram militants," Issa Tchiroma told Reuters by telephone.
"They unfortunately took away his wife. They also attacked the lamido's residence and he was also kidnapped."
Reuters reports that a Cameroon military commander in the region said that the vice-prime minister was home to celebrate Ramadan with his family and had sinces been relocated to a safer town.
"The situation is very critical here now, and as I am talking to you the Boko Haram elements are still in Kolofata town in a clash with our soldiers," said Col. Felix Nji Formekong, the second commander of Cameroon's third inter-army military region, based in the regional headquarters Maroua.
This is the third attack since Friday when around 22 suspected Boko Haram militants were handed prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years. It is unclear on whether or no the attacks are related.
Earlier this year, the terrorist group had been involved in multiple kidnappings as well as several bombings.
The BBC reports that the long and porous boarder between Nigeria and Cameroon allow for the Boko Haram easily to move between the two countries at will. They have already attacked the country multiple times.
The BBC reported that, earlier this week, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger agreed to form a regional task force of 2,800 men to combat the terrorist group.
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