50 People Abducted in Two Days by Unknown Gunmen in Northern Cameroon
Victims reportedly include Chadians and Cameroonians as series of kidnappings intensify, exacerbating ongoing conflicts including separatists rebellion and threat from Islamic extremists.
- At least 50 individuals were kidnapped in two separate incidents over two days by unknown gunmen in northern Cameroon, near the border with Chad.
- The victims include mostly Chadians, as well as Cameroonians including students and shopkeepers, according to the mayor of Touboro town.
- The kidnappings reportedly occurred on a journey between Touboro and Koutere towns and while traveling on a bus from Ngaoundere city to Touboro.
- Seven victims have been released so far, and while abductions in this area are common, these attacks are notable due to their scale.
- Cameroon has been suffering from conflict since 2017, when English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion with the aim of breaking away from the French-speaking majority to establish an independent English-speaking state, which has resulted in over 3,300 deaths and the displacement of over 750,000 people.