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Nigeria's Boko Haram 'kidnaps 20' in Cameroon bus hijacking | Nigeria's Boko Haram 'kidnaps 20' in Cameroon bus hijacking |
(35 minutes later) | |
Suspected militants from Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram have hijacked a bus in northern Cameroon, abducting at least 20 people, residents say. | Suspected militants from Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram have hijacked a bus in northern Cameroon, abducting at least 20 people, residents say. |
Militants reportedly seized a bus carrying market-goers and drove it toward the border with Nigeria. | Militants reportedly seized a bus carrying market-goers and drove it toward the border with Nigeria. |
Some reports put the total number kidnapped in Cameroon as high as 30. | Some reports put the total number kidnapped in Cameroon as high as 30. |
Boko Haram has escalated its attacks outside Nigeria in recent weeks, targeting neighbouring Cameroon and Niger. | Boko Haram has escalated its attacks outside Nigeria in recent weeks, targeting neighbouring Cameroon and Niger. |
The insurgency has forced a postponement of Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary elections from 14 February to 28 March. | The insurgency has forced a postponement of Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary elections from 14 February to 28 March. |
The bus was seized near the border area of Koza and driven towards the Nigerian border 18km (11 miles) away, a resident told the Associated Press news agency. | The bus was seized near the border area of Koza and driven towards the Nigerian border 18km (11 miles) away, a resident told the Associated Press news agency. |
Prison attacked | Prison attacked |
In an apparently related incident, several Boko Haram fighters were killed and around 10 Cameroonian soldiers injured as the militants attacked Kerawa, a local journalist told the BBC. | In an apparently related incident, several Boko Haram fighters were killed and around 10 Cameroonian soldiers injured as the militants attacked Kerawa, a local journalist told the BBC. |
A separate group of fighters reportedly attacked the nearby town of Kolofata, looting food and livestock. | A separate group of fighters reportedly attacked the nearby town of Kolofata, looting food and livestock. |
The attacks in Cameroon follow a series of assaults on the border towns of Bosso and Diffa in Niger. | The attacks in Cameroon follow a series of assaults on the border towns of Bosso and Diffa in Niger. |
Boko Haram militants targeted a prison in Diffa on Monday but were repelled by soldiers from Niger and Chad. | Boko Haram militants targeted a prison in Diffa on Monday but were repelled by soldiers from Niger and Chad. |
Diffa was also targeted by a car bomb which exploded near a market, news agencies reported, citing residents and military sources. A local journalist in Diffa told AFP he counted one dead an 15 injured. | |
Niger's parliament is due to vote on Monday on contributing 700 troops to a regional force battling to regain territory from Boko Haram ahead of Nigeria's rescheduled elections. | Niger's parliament is due to vote on Monday on contributing 700 troops to a regional force battling to regain territory from Boko Haram ahead of Nigeria's rescheduled elections. |
Abbo Moro, Nigeria's interior minister, told the BBC he believes the fight against the militant group will be successful enough for the elections to go ahead. | Abbo Moro, Nigeria's interior minister, told the BBC he believes the fight against the militant group will be successful enough for the elections to go ahead. |
Elections for state governors and assemblies slated for 28 February have also been moved to 11 April. | Elections for state governors and assemblies slated for 28 February have also been moved to 11 April. |
BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says many observers in the country see the delay as a political move aimed at helping the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. | BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says many observers in the country see the delay as a political move aimed at helping the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. |
Uncertainty over the election is also having economic repercussions, our reporter says, with Nigeria's currency the naira falling to a record low on Monday. | |
The Boko Haram insurgency has caused more than 1.5 million people to flee their homes. | The Boko Haram insurgency has caused more than 1.5 million people to flee their homes. |
On Saturday, Nigeria and the governments of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin agreed to establish a force of 8,700 troops, police and civilians to fight the group. | On Saturday, Nigeria and the governments of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin agreed to establish a force of 8,700 troops, police and civilians to fight the group. |
Boko Haram attacks during election campaign | Boko Haram attacks during election campaign |
Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists? | Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists? |
How have Boko Haram become so strong? | How have Boko Haram become so strong? |