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Cameroon Military Frees Hostages, Kills Captors

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   GAROUABOULAI, CAMEROON - Camerooon'smilitary freed a group of
   peoplethis week who had beentaken hostage by rebels from the Central
   African Republic.

   Therebelstook 22localshostage two weeks ago and held them for
   ransom.But the military's raid Thursday night onGarouaBoulaifreed 13
   Central Africans and Cameroonians.

   Residents in the Cameroon villages ofMbaimbum,TchabalandBigaowere still
   discussing the raiddays later.

   Cattle rancherMuhamadyIssa was one of those abducted. He saidthe
   kidnappershadkilled some of the hostages.
   Issa said thatwhile in captivity in the mountainson the border with
   CAR, hedecidedto escape to the surrounding bushes and hills instead of
   being slaughtered, as had happened to seven fellow captives within
   10days.
   Issa fled and was found in the hills by the Cameroon military. At least
   two of the people kidnappedwere still missing.

   Five kidnappers killed
   Cameroonianarmy Colonel DominiqueNjonkan, commander of the troops who
   carried out the raid, saidhis men killed fiveof the abductors. He said
   that withthe public's help, the armywastrying to determinewhich armed
   gang the men belonged to.
   "The results aresatisfactoryand the population is collaborating more
   and more,"Njonkansaid. "They must have confidence, make sure that they
   go ahead with their activities without fear,to make sure that economic
   activities are revamped to the maximum."
   Cameroon shares a boundary of over1,000kilometers with CAR.Since
   conflicts in the neighboring state erupted in 2013, many armed gangs
   have established bases in eastern Cameroon.

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