Witnesses say Suspected Boko Haram Islamists kill 7 near border with Cameroon and Nigeria

 By AFP, July 8, 2014

Boko Haram

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists disguised in army uniforms killed seven people in an attack near the northeastern border with Cameroon, residents said Monday. The gunmen, five of whom were also killed, razed a police station and a military camp during the late Sunday attack in the restive region, which has been among the hardest hit areas during Boko Haram's five-year uprising.

"The gunmen split into three groups and launched simultaneous attacks on the military camp, the police station and other buildings in the village," said Abor Grema, a resident of the targeted Krenuwa village in Marte district.

Marte was one of the areas in Borno state where Boko Haram chased out the government last year, forcing President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the region while launching a military offensive to crush the uprising.

Six residents were shot dead during Sunday's raid, while a member of a local vigilante force which has formed to help the military was also killed, said Grema.

His account was supported by other witnesses including Musa Bulama, who said the gunmen torched homes, a police station, a military camp, homes and shops. "Five of (the Islamists) were killed and five others were captured," during fierce gun battles that followed the raid, according to Bulama.

A vigilante was "dragged from his home and slaughtered... on the streets" by extremists who returned to Krenuwa later in the night to seek revenge against locals who had fought with the military. Police and military spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the attack.

Escalating violence along the border and Boko Haram attacks within Cameroon have led to calls for a more coordinated regional effort against the insurgents.

Nigeria has long said that Boko Haram fighters flee across Cameroon's porous borders to evade capture after carrying out attacks. The latest unrest in the region came after the escape of 63 women and girls kidnapped by the Islamists in June in Damboa, reportedly while their captors were battling the security forces.

The military claimed that it killed 53 Islamist rebels during the Friday clashes. The 219 girls seized by Boko Haram from a secondary school in April are still missing,

AFP reports.

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists kill 7 near border with Cameroon and Nigeria - witnesses

Boko Haram

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists disguised in army uniforms killed seven people in an attack near the northeastern border with Cameroon, residents said Monday. The gunmen, five of whom were also killed, razed a police station and a military camp during the late Sunday attack in the restive region, which has been among the hardest hit areas during Boko Haram's five-year uprising.

"The gunmen split into three groups and launched simultaneous attacks on the military camp, the police station and other buildings in the village," said Abor Grema, a resident of the targeted Krenuwa village in Marte district.

Marte was one of the areas in Borno state where Boko Haram chased out the government last year, forcing President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the region while launching a military offensive to crush the uprising.

Six residents were shot dead during Sunday's raid, while a member of a local vigilante force which has formed to help the military was also killed, said Grema.

His account was supported by other witnesses including Musa Bulama, who said the gunmen torched homes, a police station, a military camp, homes and shops. "Five of (the Islamists) were killed and five others were captured,"

By AFP, July 8, 2014

 during fierce gun battles that followed the raid, according to Bulama.

A vigilante was "dragged from his home and slaughtered... on the streets" by extremists who returned to Krenuwa later in the night to seek revenge against locals who had fought with the military. Police and military spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the attack.

Escalating violence along the border and Boko Haram attacks within Cameroon have led to calls for a more coordinated regional effort against the insurgents.

Nigeria has long said that Boko Haram fighters flee across Cameroon's porous borders to evade capture after carrying out attacks. The latest unrest in the region came after the escape of 63 women and girls kidnapped by the Islamists in June in Damboa, reportedly while their captors were battling the security forces.

The military claimed that it killed 53 Islamist rebels during the Friday clashes. The 219 girls seized by Boko Haram from a secondary school in April are still missing,

AFP reports.

- See more at: http://cameroonjournal.com/Suspected%20Boko%20Haram.html#sthash.DBv8jqiw.dpuf

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists kill 7 near border with Cameroon and Nigeria - witnesses

Boko Haram

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists disguised in army uniforms killed seven people in an attack near the northeastern border with Cameroon, residents said Monday. The gunmen, five of whom were also killed, razed a police station and a military camp during the late Sunday attack in the restive region, which has been among the hardest hit areas during Boko Haram's five-year uprising.

"The gunmen split into three groups and launched simultaneous attacks on the military camp, the police station and other buildings in the village," said Abor Grema, a resident of the targeted Krenuwa village in Marte district.

Marte was one of the areas in Borno state where Boko Haram chased out the government last year, forcing President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the region while launching a military offensive to crush the uprising.

Six residents were shot dead during Sunday's raid, while a member of a local vigilante force which has formed to help the military was also killed, said Grema.

His account was supported by other witnesses including Musa Bulama, who said the gunmen torched homes, a police station, a military camp, homes and shops. "Five of (the Islamists) were killed and five others were captured,"

By AFP, July 8, 2014

 during fierce gun battles that followed the raid, according to Bulama.

A vigilante was "dragged from his home and slaughtered... on the streets" by extremists who returned to Krenuwa later in the night to seek revenge against locals who had fought with the military. Police and military spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the attack.

Escalating violence along the border and Boko Haram attacks within Cameroon have led to calls for a more coordinated regional effort against the insurgents.

Nigeria has long said that Boko Haram fighters flee across Cameroon's porous borders to evade capture after carrying out attacks. The latest unrest in the region came after the escape of 63 women and girls kidnapped by the Islamists in June in Damboa, reportedly while their captors were battling the security forces.

The military claimed that it killed 53 Islamist rebels during the Friday clashes. The 219 girls seized by Boko Haram from a secondary school in April are still missing,

AFP reports.

- See more at: http://cameroonjournal.com/Suspected%20Boko%20Haram.html#sthash.DBv8jqiw.dpuf

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists kill 7 near border with Cameroon and Nigeria - witnesses

Boko Haram

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists disguised in army uniforms killed seven people in an attack near the northeastern border with Cameroon, residents said Monday. The gunmen, five of whom were also killed, razed a police station and a military camp during the late Sunday attack in the restive region, which has been among the hardest hit areas during Boko Haram's five-year uprising.

"The gunmen split into three groups and launched simultaneous attacks on the military camp, the police station and other buildings in the village," said Abor Grema, a resident of the targeted Krenuwa village in Marte district.

Marte was one of the areas in Borno state where Boko Haram chased out the government last year, forcing President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the region while launching a military offensive to crush the uprising.

Six residents were shot dead during Sunday's raid, while a member of a local vigilante force which has formed to help the military was also killed, said Grema.

His account was supported by other witnesses including Musa Bulama, who said the gunmen torched homes, a police station, a military camp, homes and shops. "Five of (the Islamists) were killed and five others were captured,"

By AFP, July 8, 2014

 during fierce gun battles that followed the raid, according to Bulama.

A vigilante was "dragged from his home and slaughtered... on the streets" by extremists who returned to Krenuwa later in the night to seek revenge against locals who had fought with the military. Police and military spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the attack.

Escalating violence along the border and Boko Haram attacks within Cameroon have led to calls for a more coordinated regional effort against the insurgents.

Nigeria has long said that Boko Haram fighters flee across Cameroon's porous borders to evade capture after carrying out attacks. The latest unrest in the region came after the escape of 63 women and girls kidnapped by the Islamists in June in Damboa, reportedly while their captors were battling the security forces.

The military claimed that it killed 53 Islamist rebels during the Friday clashes. The 219 girls seized by Boko Haram from a secondary school in April are still missing,

AFP reports.

- See more at: http://cameroonjournal.com/Suspected%20Boko%20Haram.html#sthash.DBv8jqiw.dpuf

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists kill 7 near border with Cameroon and Nigeria - witnesses

Boko Haram

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists disguised in army uniforms killed seven people in an attack near the northeastern border with Cameroon, residents said Monday. The gunmen, five of whom were also killed, razed a police station and a military camp during the late Sunday attack in the restive region, which has been among the hardest hit areas during Boko Haram's five-year uprising.

"The gunmen split into three groups and launched simultaneous attacks on the military camp, the police station and other buildings in the village," said Abor Grema, a resident of the targeted Krenuwa village in Marte district.

Marte was one of the areas in Borno state where Boko Haram chased out the government last year, forcing President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the region while launching a military offensive to crush the uprising.

Six residents were shot dead during Sunday's raid, while a member of a local vigilante force which has formed to help the military was also killed, said Grema.

His account was supported by other witnesses including Musa Bulama, who said the gunmen torched homes, a police station, a military camp, homes and shops. "Five of (the Islamists) were killed and five others were captured,"

By AFP, July 8, 2014

 during fierce gun battles that followed the raid, according to Bulama.

A vigilante was "dragged from his home and slaughtered... on the streets" by extremists who returned to Krenuwa later in the night to seek revenge against locals who had fought with the military. Police and military spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the attack.

Escalating violence along the border and Boko Haram attacks within Cameroon have led to calls for a more coordinated regional effort against the insurgents.

Nigeria has long said that Boko Haram fighters flee across Cameroon's porous borders to evade capture after carrying out attacks. The latest unrest in the region came after the escape of 63 women and girls kidnapped by the Islamists in June in Damboa, reportedly while their captors were battling the security forces.

The military claimed that it killed 53 Islamist rebels during the Friday clashes. The 219 girls seized by Boko Haram from a secondary school in April are still missing,

AFP reports.

- See more at: http://cameroonjournal.com/Suspected%20Boko%20Haram.html#sthash.DBv8jqiw.dpuf

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists kill 7 near border with Cameroon and Nigeria - witnesses

Boko Haram

Suspected Boko Haram Islamists disguised in army uniforms killed seven people in an attack near the northeastern border with Cameroon, residents said Monday. The gunmen, five of whom were also killed, razed a police station and a military camp during the late Sunday attack in the restive region, which has been among the hardest hit areas during Boko Haram's five-year uprising.

"The gunmen split into three groups and launched simultaneous attacks on the military camp, the police station and other buildings in the village," said Abor Grema, a resident of the targeted Krenuwa village in Marte district.

Marte was one of the areas in Borno state where Boko Haram chased out the government last year, forcing President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the region while launching a military offensive to crush the uprising.

Six residents were shot dead during Sunday's raid, while a member of a local vigilante force which has formed to help the military was also killed, said Grema.

His account was supported by other witnesses including Musa Bulama, who said the gunmen torched homes, a police station, a military camp, homes and shops. "Five of (the Islamists) were killed and five others were captured,"

By AFP, July 8, 2014

 during fierce gun battles that followed the raid, according to Bulama.

A vigilante was "dragged from his home and slaughtered... on the streets" by extremists who returned to Krenuwa later in the night to seek revenge against locals who had fought with the military. Police and military spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the attack.

Escalating violence along the border and Boko Haram attacks within Cameroon have led to calls for a more coordinated regional effort against the insurgents.

Nigeria has long said that Boko Haram fighters flee across Cameroon's porous borders to evade capture after carrying out attacks. The latest unrest in the region came after the escape of 63 women and girls kidnapped by the Islamists in June in Damboa, reportedly while their captors were battling the security forces.

The military claimed that it killed 53 Islamist rebels during the Friday clashes. The 219 girls seized by Boko Haram from a secondary school in April are still missing,

AFP reports.

- See more at: http://cameroonjournal.com/Suspected%20Boko%20Haram.html#sthash.DBv8jqiw.dpuf

Editorial:Indigenise appointment of governors

The last minor shake-up in the appointment of governors and the shape this exercise has taken is a welcome development but for the purpose for which it was deemed necessary. In this shake-up we noticed that the governors of the Far North and North regions are now indigenes of the respective areas

As it is usually the case, no reason was given for this exchange of regions, but the guess cannot be far from the truth, that with the rising threat of Islamic extremism in those regions, which has provoked a mass mobilization of troops in that part of the country, it needed indigenes of the area to supervise this security operation.
Otherwise, we do not see any urgent call for such a change.
Nonetheless, since the security of our territory and its people is paramount and if it is the wisdom of government that an indigene will take the task as a personal challenge, all that Cameroonians need to do is to add their blessings to his assignment, knowing very well that he is there first, in the interest of his kith and Kin of the region and the country Cameroon at large.
This mission obviously places the new governors in a position where compromises become sacrilegious. After all, it is their indigenous regions, the land of their birth, a pride they must defend at all cost.
While we appreciate all this in good faith, there is another broader dimension to this development. We think there is a moral lesson to learn from this appointment of indigenous governors to administratively supervise the management of affairs in the area from which they hail.
This is stated with every authority drawn from the aphorism that, all wealth, all wisdom, all virtue is held in trust for the community to which the individual belongs, and that, to acquire their value, they must be ploughed back to the same community.
An indigene therefore owes his community this debt of serving his people with every available zeal in him.
Experience has shown that the present system where governors, or even SDOs are appointed to areas not of their own origin have usually acted like rulers of conquered territories, knowing that they have nothing to lose, but so much to gain.
Firstly, they are answerable to no one in the region or division they rule. They are answerable, according to their self-esteem only to the authority above that has put them there and that any time that there is a shake-up they simply leave with impunity.
In short, their assignments in most places have proven to be counter-productive.
It is therefore a better option for government to embark on a policy of appointing governors and other senior administrators to areas of their origin as a kind of balancing act.
It is certain that such an appointed administrator will feel guilty among his own people if he acts outside the rules or in most cases where he behaves like a tyrant.
As our democracy advances at a steady pace, it is necessary we start drumming the beats of a solid landing on the shores of our dream land.
These beats are certainly advocating for a review of the constitution to include the election of regional governors. This is a veritable option for genuine development of our various regions. The bottom line for now is the indigenization of the appointments of governors until such a time that the Cameroonian will be offered the opportunity to elect his own governor.

culled from The Sun Cameroon, first published in The Sun Newspaper No. 269

More Than 60 Women, Girls Abducted in Nigeria's Maiduguri

 Suspected Boko Haram militants have abducted more than 60 women and young girls in restive northeast Nigeria, a local official and a vigilante leader said on Tuesday.

Boko Ham

Nigeria’s defence headquarters in Abuja said in a tweet late on Monday that it was “yet to confirm the several reports on the abduction of girls in Borno as at now”.
Defence spokesmen were not immediately available for comment when contacted by AFP on Tuesday.
A senior officer in the Damboa local government, who asked for his name to be withheld as he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said: “Over 60 women were hijacked and forcefully taken away by the terrorists.
“The village was also destroyed. Some of the survivors who do not have means of transporting themselves, especially old women and men, trekked to Lassa, in the Askira-Uba local government area of Borno state, 25 kilometres (away).
“Others went to Gulak in Adamawa state, where they are now taking refuge.”
The abductions are the latest to take place in Borno, which has been worst affected by the Islamist group’s increasingly deadly, five-year insurgency.
On April 14, Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 teenaged girls from their dormitories at a boarding school in Chibok, triggering global outrage and an international response to find the students.
At least 20 young mothers from a nomadic settlement in and around the village of Garkin Fulani were also reported kidnapped on June 7, although it has since been claimed that the disappearances could be due to annual migration.
The secretary of the Damboa local government, Modu Mustapha, neither confirmed nor denied the abductions, while the authority’s chairman, Alamin Mohammed, was not immediately available.
Officials said they were afraid to speak out because of the controversy surrounding the abduction of the Chibok girls, which has seen Nigeria’s government criticised for its initial slow response to the incident.
But Aji Khalil, a local vigilante leader said: “Over 60 women were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists. They were forcefully taken away by Boko Haram terrorists.
“Four villagers who tried to escape were shot dead on the spot.”
Another resident, who fled to the Borno state capital, Maiduguri and also requested anonymity, said: “Over 30 men were killed during the raid which lasted for nearly four days. Most men fled for their lives.
“The attackers held the whole village hostage for the next three days.”

Akwaya is not safe – Senator Anja Simon cries out!

Cameroon Headlines, Akwaya, June 25 - “…Akwaya is not safe, especially for me as a senator. I could be kidnapped by militants of the Boko Haram. I fear going to Akwaya, since the security is very porous.”

Senator Anja Simon of Akwaya and Chief of Bantakpa Village was speaking to Cameroon Headlines in a chat, Saturday, June 14.

According to the senior citizen and appointed senator, Akwaya is not safe and so, government should give him a battalion of bodyguards to guarantee his safety as he goes in and out of Akwaya. This as he fears he could be kidnapped for ransom by the extremist group.

His words: “With the coming of Boko Haram attacks, I fear going to Akwaya because of the porous nature of the borders. And many people from Nigeria are coming to Akwaya. During local conversations, many say the Boko Haram are mostly concerned with people who have money. So each time I am going, the fear is that I may also be kidnapped since I am a senator. But they fail to know that the senator in Cameroon is not like the senator in Nigeria. So if they kidnap me, I’ll not have any money to give them.”

Senator Chief Anja is of the opinion that government should give him security, given the fact that he is a potential target for kidnappers.

“…If I had bodyguards, At least, I can have confidence. But I have been going there, because I’m working for my people. I don’t mind if I’m killed because I’m working for the people. I believe in the philosophy that the quality of man is better than longevity,” he said.

Even though his village, Bantakpa, is not near the border with Nigeria, Chief Anja still resides in Bamenda and Mamfe Town.

“Even though I met with the minister of defence requesting for more security officers for Akwaya and also equipment and vehicles, not much has been done. For now, I know only of the police posts in Akwaya Town, Dadi, Salifu and Bali.Prevention is better than cure. It is good to say that ones life is not secure in Akwaya. You could be kidnapped and taken to Nigeria. Ones life is not secured,” Anja cried out.

War on insurgency: Cameroon troops kill 8 gunmen

Cameroonian soldiers stand next to pick up trucks with mounted heavy artillery in Mora, northern Cameroon on June 17, 2014

Cameroonian security forces killed eight gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram, the Islamist group sowing terror in neighbouring Nigeria, a paramilitary officer said on Tuesday.
The far north of Cameroon has become a hotbed of Boko Haram activity, with its porous borders making it an easy staging post for attacks and kidnappings in Nigeria.
A mixed squad of soldiers and paramilitary officers were patrolling the area around the town of Mora when they came across “a dozen Islamists,” the officer from regional capital Maroua said on condition of anonymity.
“Clashes broke out and our forces got the upper hand. Eight Boko Haram were killed,” he said.
The officer added that 48 people were arrested on Monday in Maroua during an operation to dismantle a group believed to be linked to Boko Haram.
“Seventeen are still in custody. Most of the suspects are Nigerians,” who had false Cameroonian identity documents, the officer said.
The operation took place after police received a tip-off that “allies of Boko Haram had moved into Maroua as hairdressers”.
Cameroon shares a border of more than 2 000km with Nigeria. The Islamist militants have already kidnapped several foreigners there.
In mid-May, suspected gunmen from the group took 10 Chinese road workers captive in an attack which left a Cameroonian soldier dead.
Cameroonian President Paul Biya in early June pledged 3 000 extra troops to the troubled border northern region.

“We’re Muslims, not Boko Haram”

Cameroon Headlines, Buea, June 23 - Muslim faithful in the South West Region have said they are being stigmatised by members of the public as being members of the dreaded extremist sect, Boko Haram. They say being a Muslim does not automatically make you a member of the sect.

The said they are in support of Boko Halal (western education is good) and not Boko Haram (western Education is evil).

South West Muslim Community

Meeting in Buea during a conference organised by the South West Muslim Community (SOWEMUC), Sunday, June 22, at the Buea Youth and Animation Center, they can never sympathise with Boko Haram.

“We’re Muslims and not members of the terrorist group Boko Haram. We the leaders of the South West Muslim Community join forces with the government to denounce all obscurantist practices carried out in the name of Islam,” they declared.

Declaration No. 001/SOWEMUC/SWR/2014 expresses the wish of Muslim faithful in the South West to collaborate with the administration and forces of law and order as ways are being sought to crush the terrorist movement.

“We are here today to declare or support to the Head of S to the Head of State, H.E. President Paul Biya against this group. We shall not allow any room, in our region for this group. We assure the President of the Republic that  the creed in Islam is the quest for Knowledge, Justice, Progress, Peacee and Development,” the declaration reads in part.

It further states that “we should promote ‘Boko Halal’ which in Hausa means that education is allowed as quoted in the Quran and the teachings of our Prophet Mohammed.”

They reminded Muslim faithful that Prophet Mohammed calls on them to “seek knowledge, any knowledge for both boys and girls even if it will take you to far away China.”

El Hadj Mohaman Nayelwa, President of SOWEMUC said Boko Haram is not Islam because Islam is synonymous to peace. He said Islam is about peace and unity and since Boko Haram threatens the peace of the nation, it is thus a big enemy.

“I want to plead with you to preach the message of unity, peace, development and solidarity. We are  a week to Ramadan and should remain vigilant,” Nayelwa said.

Haman Dahirou, Inspector General of Services at the South West Governor’s Office urged the Muslim community to stand against the infiltration of Boko Haram, assuring them that government is on the alert.

Rev. Pastor William Linonge said on the occasion that Boko Haram militants, when unveiled, will be crucified among lions and they will be crushed through prayers and fasting.

The declaration was signed among others by: El Hadj Mohaman Nayelwa, SOWEMUC President; El Hadj Ousseini Adamou Labbo, President of the Council of Muslim Chiefs for Littoral and South West; Imam Mohamed Aboubakar, SOWEMUC Secretary General; Maina Tanimou Salissou, SOWEMUC Youth President; El Hadj Moussa Aboubakar, South West President of the Bororo Social, Cultural and Development Association; Chief Sule Mbua, Chief of Buea Muslim Community and Organising Secretary SOWEMUC; El Hadj Adamou Maina, South West Chief of Elders; El Hadj Mohamed Adamou Ouba, SOWEMUC Vice President and Chief of Kumba Muslim Community; Amadou Mussande, Chief of Bamoun Community in Limbe and Hadja Fhadimatou Nayelwa, President of Moslem Women Association in Limbe.

It was signed in the presence of Chief Endeley, Paramount Chief of Buea.

The conference was held under the theme: “Peace and Unity as Factor of Development”.