7 French nationals kidnapped in Cameroon
Source: Agencies |
February 20, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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GUNMEN kidnapped seven French nationals, including three children, yesterday in northern Cameroon and the perpetrators came from neighboring Nigeria, French President Francois Hollande said.
The risk of attacks on French nationals and interests in Africa has risen since France sent forces into Mali last month to help oust Islamist rebels occupying the country's north.
"They have been taken by a terrorist group that we know and that is in Nigeria," Hollande told reporters.
Islamist militants in northern Nigeria now pose the biggest threat to stability in Africa's top oil-producing state.
Radio France International earlier reported the kidnapping, saying that the seven people were taken by armed men on motorbikes and were being taken towards Nigeria.
Western governments have grown concerned that Nigeria's radical Islamists may link up with groups elsewhere in the region, particularly al-Qaida's North African wing AQIM given the conflict in nearby Mali.
The seven tourists were abducted at around 7am near the Waza national park and Lake Chad in the extreme north of Cameroon where Westerners often go for holidays.
It was the first case of foreigners being seized in the mostly Muslim north of Cameroon, a former French colony.
"I see the hand of (Nigerian militants) Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon. France is in Mali, and it will continue until its mission is completed," Hollande said.
Eight French citizens are being held in West Africa's Sahel region by al-Qaida-affiliated groups.
The risk of attacks on French nationals and interests in Africa has risen since France sent forces into Mali last month to help oust Islamist rebels occupying the country's north.
"They have been taken by a terrorist group that we know and that is in Nigeria," Hollande told reporters.
Islamist militants in northern Nigeria now pose the biggest threat to stability in Africa's top oil-producing state.
Radio France International earlier reported the kidnapping, saying that the seven people were taken by armed men on motorbikes and were being taken towards Nigeria.
Western governments have grown concerned that Nigeria's radical Islamists may link up with groups elsewhere in the region, particularly al-Qaida's North African wing AQIM given the conflict in nearby Mali.
The seven tourists were abducted at around 7am near the Waza national park and Lake Chad in the extreme north of Cameroon where Westerners often go for holidays.
It was the first case of foreigners being seized in the mostly Muslim north of Cameroon, a former French colony.
"I see the hand of (Nigerian militants) Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon. France is in Mali, and it will continue until its mission is completed," Hollande said.
Eight French citizens are being held in West Africa's Sahel region by al-Qaida-affiliated groups.
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