Up to 7 French nationals have been kidnapped by gunmen in Northern Cameroon, only a few miles from the Nigerian border, French President Francois Hollande has said. The president said they all belong to the same family and were seized by a “known terrorist group which is active in Northern Nigeria”. He added that the family, including four children, were probably taken to Northern Nigeria.

“I see the hand of Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon, and that is worrying enough for us to mobilise,” Mr Hollande said. He said everything possible was being done to rescue the family and warned other French nationals in northern Cameroon to avoid “exposing themselves”.

It was ostensibly gathered that the family had been returning from a visit to Waza National Park when they were attacked by men on motorcycles.  This incident comes at the backdrop of a French-led intervention against Islamist militants in Mali. At least eight French nationals were already being held by Islamist groups in Africa. 

Up to 7 French nationals have been kidnapped by gunmen in Northern Cameroon, only a few miles from the Nigerian border, French President Francois Hollande has said. The president said they all belong to the same family and were seized by a “known terrorist group which is active in Northern Nigeria”. He added that the family, including four children, were probably taken to Northern Nigeria.

“I see the hand of Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon, and that is worrying enough for us to mobilise,” Mr Hollande said. He said everything possible was being done to rescue the family and warned other French nationals in northern Cameroon to avoid “exposing themselves”.

It was ostensibly gathered that the family had been returning from a visit to Waza National Park when they were attacked by men on motorcycles.  This incident comes at the backdrop of a French-led intervention against Islamist militants in Mali. At least eight French nationals were already being held by Islamist groups in Africa. 

Boko Haram the group suspected of this attack has staged many attacks across northern Nigeria in recent past, targeting churches, government buildings and the security forces.Only recently, another Islamist group- Ansaru – has also been active within the region. And on sunday, it claimed to have abducted 7 foreign workers in Nigeria. The foreign workers abducted include – Italian, British, Greek and Lebanese nationals.

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Boko Haram kidnaps 7 French Nationals in Cameroon