Cameroon Arrests Suspected Suicide Bombers After Boko Haram ‘Kills 8, Abducts 100’ In Day Before

Northern Cameroon has recently been hit by suicide bombings blamed on the militants

Cameroon has arrested two suspected female bombers in its northern region, which borders Nigeria. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, spokesman for the government, said the suspects who had explosive devices in their luggage, were arrested at refugee camp. He said they are currently being questioned by security agents.

TheCable report continues:

The camp hosts Nigerians who have fled the six-year insurgency waged by Boko Haram insurgents back home.

On Tuesday, Midjiyawa Bakary, governor of the northern region, claimed that some Cameroonians were hiding Boko Haram insurgents.

“In different villages, there is a certain population of foreigners and they are hiding behind some Cameroonians who are hiding Boko Haram suspects,” he had said.

In the last four days, Cameroon has deported nearly 5,000 Nigerians in what it describes as a move to check activities of insurgents who have been targeting the country in recent times.

Yesterday media reports said at least eight people were killed and about 100 others were kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram militants in an overnight raid on Tchakarmari, a village near Cameroon’s northern border.

A local government and a military source told Reuters that the attackers returned to Nigeria after their operation.

“Residents said the attackers headed back to Nigeria where Cameroon is not allowed to pursue them,” the local government source in the far north region said.

A senior military officer deployed as part of a Cameroonian military operation aimed at curbing the spillover of violence from Boko Haram’s stronghold in north-eastern Nigeria said the attackers had crossed over from Nigeria shortly after midnight.

After the spate of suicide bombings in July, Cameroon’s government announced plans to send an additional 2,000 troops to boost security in the far north region.

Last month, the regional governor banned burqas, a religious garment worn by female muslims, to check the frequency of suicide attacks.

About 2,000 Nigerians who fled as a result of insurgency were recently expelled for living in the country without permission.

Cameroon has already deployed some 7,000 troops to the regional force combating Boko Haram’s six-year violent campaign.

President Muhammadu Buhari visited Cameroon last week to discuss strategies in the battle against insurgency.