41 Boko Haram militants are killed in Cameroon

Cameroon’s military has killed 41 Boko Haram militants a day after the Nigerian militants invaded the Far North Region of neighboring Cameroon, officials say.

Cameroon’s Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said on Monday, “Fending off a Boko Haram attack in the locality of Shogori [village], our defense forces killed 34 members of the terrorist group and destroyed two fighter jeeps belonging to Boko Haram.”

Cameroon forces killed seven militants in a separate ambush.

Cameroon launched airstrikes against Boko Haram on Sunday, after nearly 1,000 Boko Haram militants assaulted a military camp located near the northern border. The Cameroon troops were forced to flee. The base was retaken by Cameroon military later.

Lieutenant Colonel Didier Badjeck said, “The engagement of the air force is a new step in Cameroon’s fight against Boko Haram, given the multiplicity and variation of the enemy attacks.”

In May, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya declared war on Boko Haram. Since then thousands of Cameroonian troops have been deployed to defend the Far North Region.

Cameroon Defense Minister Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o recently told the country’s parliament that in the next two years around 20,000 soldiers will be recruited to reinforce the country’s armed forces against militants.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden” aims to overthrow the government in the capital city of Nigeria, Abuja.