Armed Cross-Border Assaults from Nigeria Leave Cameroonian Troops Dead
Recent militant attacks from Nigeria into southern Cameroon have resulted in the deaths of at least seven troops and the displacement of civilians from 15 villages. Villagers and officials suggest these assaults are attributed to militant groups. Local military forces were engaged in confrontations, resulting in casualties on both sides, while calls for greater military support and coordination with Nigeria have been made to combat the threats.
Reports from villagers in southern Cameroon indicate that armed men reportedly crossed the border from Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least seven government troops and displacing countless civilians from approximately 15 villages. Local residents assert that the assailants are affiliated with a militant group.
The attacks occurred in the Akwaya district, located near the border with Nigeria’s Taraba state, where several hundred armed individuals allegedly made two crossings over the Moon River this week, executing assaults on local communities. The river’s significantly lowered water level during the dry season facilitated these incursions.
The first reported assault took place on Thursday, allegedly involving armed men of Nigerian Fulani ethnicity who indiscriminately discharged firearms, torched residences, and issued threats against civilians. The Cameroonian military responded, claiming to have forced the attackers into retreat after inflicting casualties.
Traditional ruler Agwa Linus Tarnonge from Bakinjaw village expressed astonishment at the return of the heavily armed attackers the following day. “They attacked our [Cameroon] military contingent that is lodged at the chief’s palace in Bakinjaw, and killed five military and two gendarmes,” Tarnonge reported, describing the escalation in armaments from one day to the next.
The Cameroonian military has confirmed the loss of five soldiers in the confrontations, with reports suggesting that two additional troops later succumbed to injuries while being transported for medical care. The situation remains dire for local civilians, with many sustaining injuries and it being challenging to ascertain the total number of casualties.
Aka Martin Tyoga, a legislator representing Akwaya in the National Assembly, characterized these attacks as part of persistent efforts by Nigerian militant groups to exert control over the region. He urged citizens to relocate from the border areas to safer zones, advocating for increased military personnel to counter the aggressors, who reportedly numbered upwards of 300.
Although no group has openly claimed responsibility for these incursions, local government officials and residents believe that a Nigerian armed faction aims to seize this territory. Cameroonian military forces have been dispatched to conduct search-and-rescue operations in the border vicinity, although the specifics of this deployment remain undisclosed.
The Cameroonian government has stated its intention to collaborate with Nigerian authorities to address these border incursions, although detailed communications between both parties have not been verified. Nigeria has been grappling with militant groups since 2009, with significant violence spilling into neighboring nations.
Since 2022, Taraba state has experienced numerous bombings and attacks attributed to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). A collaborative statement in 2021 by Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, and Niger indicated that ISWAP was rising as a significant threat following the weakening of Boko Haram after the death of its leader, Aboubakar Shekau.
Recent violent clashes along the border of Cameroon and Nigeria have heightened concerns regarding the presence and activities of militant groups in the region. Villagers in the Akwaya district have reported escalated attacks that reflect ongoing tensions and security challenges stemming from militant operations. The geopolitical implications of these attacks are significant, as they impact not only local communities but also cross-border relations, prompting calls for coordinated military actions and heightened security measures. In recent years, the emergence of groups like ISWAP has compounded security risks in Nigeria and its neighboring countries, necessitating a reevaluation of regional security strategies.
The armed incursions from Nigeria into Cameroon have resulted in the tragic loss of military personnel and further destabilization of local communities. The need for effective collaboration between Cameroonian and Nigerian authorities is paramount to mitigate the threat posed by these militant groups and to enhance security measures in the border regions. Continuous monitoring and potentially increased military presence in strategic areas may be required to safeguard civilians and restore peace in these affected territories.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
