About eight soldiers dead, several wounded by Islamic insurgents in Cameroun

In northern Cameroon, alongside neighbouring Nigeria and Chad, have for some years been battling the Boko Haram militant group and more recently, militants linked to Islamic State.

“Our outpost in Sagme was attacked this morning around 4 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) by a horde of assailants. There were six to seven vehicles and motorcycles and some were on foot. It was a massive attack and the deadliest in recent months,” Lazare Ndongo, administrative head of the district in the Far North Region, told Reuters.

Two military sources who requested anonymity had told Reuters that at least eight soldiers had been killed and several others were wounded. Local authorities said there has been a steady increase in attacks on the military in the region since the death of Abubakar Shekau, the former leader of Boko Haram was announced.

“Since Shekau’s death there has been an increase in attacks, as the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) move to conquer territories previously held by Boko Haram,” Ndongo said.

“They are gaining momentum. They look more structured, better organised and attack in full force,” he said.

Suzan O/REU