Seven people were killed and 21 children and young adults were kidnapped in another spree of devastating Boko Haram attacks on mainly-Christian villages in the far north of Cameroon in December.
The rampage in Mayo Sava district began on 1 December. Gunmen opened fire on mourners gathered at a funeral in Kotserehé, forcing them to flee in all directions. An eyewitness said, ‘It was a total rout … women have fled without being able to take their children with them.’
The attack left four dead and three wounded. The following night, three people were murdered and another wounded when a large number of armed militants swarmed into Zangola village. The extremists looted homes as the villagers fled for their lives.
The army arrived, but their attempt to pursue the marauders was unsuccessful. In another attack, also on 1 December, the militants caused major damage in Yagoua village, ransacking 11 homes, stripping them of food and basic items.
At around 2am on 5 December, the militants searched houses in another village and kidnapped 21 young people. Four of them managed to escape.
It is thought that those abducted will be forced to become Boko Haram ‘soldiers’ and fight on behalf of the extremists.
