Cameroon’s government has announced the rescue of 10 children who were kidnapped last week in the country’s Far North region, following a joint security operation with forces from Nigeria and Chad. Authorities confirmed, however, that one of the abducted youngsters died in captivity.
The children were seized while traveling by bus from Kousseri to Maroua and were later taken across the border into Nigeria. In total, around 15 passengers were kidnapped, according to Far North provincial governor Midjiyawa Bakari, who revealed the news in a video statement on Thursday. He did not specify the circumstances of the rescue, the identities of the captors, or details on the other hostages.
“Unfortunately, one of them lost their life,” Bakari said, adding that soldiers had been mobilized for a week to comb the ground and pressure the kidnappers into releasing their captives. He also confirmed that at least 50 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Although Cameroonian media outlets suggested Boko Haram was responsible, officials have not confirmed whether the Islamist group was behind the abductions. Boko Haram, along with its splinter faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has long plagued the region with kidnappings, raids, and bomb attacks. The insurgency, which began in northeast Nigeria in 2009, has since spread into neighboring Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.
Kidnapping has become a hallmark of the group’s terror strategy. The 2014 abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok, Nigeria, drew international outrage and highlighted the scale of the crisis. In Cameroon, attacks and abductions continue to terrorize civilians. According to reports, at least 246 attacks occurred in 2023 alone, leaving 169 civilians dead.
The recent kidnapping sparked anger and frustration among families, who accused authorities of inaction and poor communication. Relatives had even launched a fundraiser in an attempt to secure the hostages’ release.
Despite the rescue, the incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Cameroon’s Far North, where communities live under the constant threat of militant violence. As Boko Haram and ISWAP continue their cross-border operations, regional cooperation remains critical in combating insurgency and protecting vulnerable populations.
