It was yet another reign of terror at the weekend by the Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalist sect as it deployed about 1,000 fighters to take over a Cameroonian army camp and attacked five communities in the neighboring country.
Members of the sect also wreaked havoc in Tattura community, Kaduna State, killing at least 10 persons and wounding five. Tattaura community is in the Sanga Local Government Area of the state. The heavily armed group attacked the Camerounian military camp in Achigachia near the Nigerian border at around 4 a.m. After an intense battle, the army abandoned the camp, Lieutenant Colonel Didier Badjeck told Reuters by phone. “After that, the head of state ordered the air force to carry out strikes. With the bombardment, the fighters were forced to decamp from Achigachia,” Badjeck said. He could not immediately give the number of casualties from both sides.
It is the first time Cameroun has used the air force against Boko Haram. Cameroun state radio, CRTV, said the militants carried out attacks on five towns at the weekend and at least one Camerounian soldier was killed. “The attacks were carried out simultaneously at the localities of Mokolo, Guirvidig, Waza, Amchide and Makari, villages along the frontier with Nigeria,” CRTV radio reported. Boko Haram has made several incursions in the Far-North Region of Cameroun this year, killing over 40 soldiers and recruiting hundreds from mainly unemployed youths in the area. Cameroun army said last week it dismantled a training camp for the militants in northern Cameroun, arresting or killing dozens and seizing 84 children who were being trained there.
On Saturday, the Tattaura community celebrated Christmas with dance and merry. The youth and children were joined in the festivities by adults, both male and female. Suddenly, at about 10.12 pm, some strange men arrived the community, brandishing guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons. By the time the dust settled, 10 persons lay dead. Five others who were injured, were receiving treatment at a hospital. Acting Chairman of the council, Alhaji Nasiru Harande, who confirmed the attack, described it as unfortunate. Harande said normalcy had returned to the area, adding that, the attackers “came, shot and fled.” Tattaura is a community in Ancha District of Ninzo Chiefdom.
The village is two kilometres east of Gwantu, the Local Government headquarters. A community leader, Mike Sanga said the attack took place in a shop where some men were relaxing after dancing. As at press time, arrangements were being made to give the victims mass burial. However, the Police spokesman in the state, Aminu Lawan, did not respond to several telephone calls made to him.
Members of the sect also wreaked havoc in Tattura community, Kaduna State, killing at least 10 persons and wounding five. Tattaura community is in the Sanga Local Government Area of the state. The heavily armed group attacked the Camerounian military camp in Achigachia near the Nigerian border at around 4 a.m. After an intense battle, the army abandoned the camp, Lieutenant Colonel Didier Badjeck told Reuters by phone. “After that, the head of state ordered the air force to carry out strikes. With the bombardment, the fighters were forced to decamp from Achigachia,” Badjeck said. He could not immediately give the number of casualties from both sides.
It is the first time Cameroun has used the air force against Boko Haram. Cameroun state radio, CRTV, said the militants carried out attacks on five towns at the weekend and at least one Camerounian soldier was killed. “The attacks were carried out simultaneously at the localities of Mokolo, Guirvidig, Waza, Amchide and Makari, villages along the frontier with Nigeria,” CRTV radio reported. Boko Haram has made several incursions in the Far-North Region of Cameroun this year, killing over 40 soldiers and recruiting hundreds from mainly unemployed youths in the area. Cameroun army said last week it dismantled a training camp for the militants in northern Cameroun, arresting or killing dozens and seizing 84 children who were being trained there.
On Saturday, the Tattaura community celebrated Christmas with dance and merry. The youth and children were joined in the festivities by adults, both male and female. Suddenly, at about 10.12 pm, some strange men arrived the community, brandishing guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons. By the time the dust settled, 10 persons lay dead. Five others who were injured, were receiving treatment at a hospital. Acting Chairman of the council, Alhaji Nasiru Harande, who confirmed the attack, described it as unfortunate. Harande said normalcy had returned to the area, adding that, the attackers “came, shot and fled.” Tattaura is a community in Ancha District of Ninzo Chiefdom.
The village is two kilometres east of Gwantu, the Local Government headquarters. A community leader, Mike Sanga said the attack took place in a shop where some men were relaxing after dancing. As at press time, arrangements were being made to give the victims mass burial. However, the Police spokesman in the state, Aminu Lawan, did not respond to several telephone calls made to him.
Source: Daily Times
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