Photo by Sandrine Dole
In Cameroon, 5,000 people have been freed from Boko Haram. This includes women and children.
Per Fox News, “More than 5,000 people, including women and children, have been freed from extremist captivity and at least 60 Boko Haram fighters have been killed by Cameroonian and Nigerian soldiers in operations since the end of January, Cameroon’s minister of communication said Tuesday.”
The Cameroonian army along with help from the Nigerian troops have been fighting against Boko Haram.
The Irish News reports, “Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said that thousands of Cameroonian soldiers, supported by Nigerian troops, have been launching raids on Boko Haram strongholds in the Mandara mountains that straddle the two countries.” Those who were set free, were taken to refugee camps.
The Guardian explains, “‘The freed hostages — most of them women, children and elderly people — were taken to a camp for displaced people in Banki, Nigeria,’ he added.” Since raids started on January 26, 21 suspects have been arrested.
Per Irish News, “He said that since the raids started on January 26, 21 suspects have been arrested and an insurgent refuge centre was destroyed along with a petroleum depot, weapons, an explosives factory, and the residence of a Boko Haram leader.
Boko Haram was started in Nigeria and moved to other countries. It is affiliated with the Islamic State.
The Guardian reports, “Though it was born in Nigeria, the Islamic State-affiliated group has also carried out frequent attacks on ‘soft’ targets in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, prompting them to form a regional force to fight back.”
Nigeria reopened borders to Cameroon and vice-versa last December.
Fox News explains, “Cameroon and Nigeria that same month reopened the border between the two countries for the first time in three years.”
Also in December, troops raided and captured a key Boko Haram area on the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
Per Fox News, “In December, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari announced troops had chased Boko Haram militants out of their key remaining base in the Sambisa forest, another former stronghold that straddles Cameroon’s border with Nigeria.”
The United Methodist Church works in Cameroon to share Christ’s hope despite the dangers.
Global Ministry reports, “The Cameroon Mission Initiative reaches out holistically to meet not only the spiritual needs of the people it serves, but also their physical needs. The Cameroon Mission Initiative is planting new congregations, increasing HIV/AIDS education, preventing malaria, holding eye clinics, and creating microcredit programs to address health and economic needs.”
Please pray for the people of Cameroon as they live with troops fighting terrorist. Pray the United Methodist Church would be able to minister to the people of Cameroon and that many would come to know Christ’s hope.
Fox News: Cameroon: 5,000 people freed from Boko Haram since January
Irish News: 5,000 people freed from Boko Haram in Cameroon since January
The Guardian: 5,000 freed from Boko Haram’s grip in Cameroon
