Fears Boko Haram’s deadly reign could peak, French general says

Cameroonian troops killed 39 Boko Haram fighters in clashes with the Islamists who were carrying out three raids on the West African country’s territory. Friday’s fighting in the far north of Cameroon near Nigeria also claimed four civilian lives, the ministry said in a statement sent to AFP. The terrorist group also are suspected of having killed at least 17 people and abducted dozens in a series of attacks in the central region of Nigeria’s northeast Borno State, the head of a local administration said on Sunday. Chadian and Nigerian officials have attributed the attacks to dissident factions within the group and bandits posing as Boko Haram, respectively. Boko Haram rebels, who have been waging attacks in northern Nigeria and who kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls there in April, frequently cross into neighboring Cameroon.

Once they invade a community, they abduct all boys aged 13 years and above and take them to their base. The insurgents also abduct all girls aged 11 years and above.

Alhaji Shettima Maina, head of the local government in Mafa district

Nigerian-based Boko Haram is showing early signs of weakening, however, reducing the risk of a spillover into neighboring countries in West Africa’s Sahel band, the head of France’s military operation in the region told Reuters on Sunday. General Jean-Pierre Palasset said there are signs that the militant group’s strength has peaked—even though it has staged a series of deadly raids in Nigeria since the country’s military announced a cease-fire deal last week, as well as battling government forces in neighboring Cameroon.

Apart from a few border villages Boko Haram is very much contained in Borno.

General Jean-Pierre Palasset

Africa Boko Haram