Cameroon Deploys 1000 Soldiers To Fight Boko Haram Insurgency At Borders

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

Oyewale Oyelola

The Trans-border military operations by west african leaders to fight Boko Haram is yielding result as Cameroon has deployed about 1,000 soldiers to its border with Nigeria to stop terrorist group from escaping to the country after terrorizing Nigeria.

Cameroon defence ministry spokesman said the troops would carry out reconnaissance missions and return fire if necessary.

General Carter Ham of the United States, who was formerly one of the commanders of the US Africa Command, which liaises with African countries on military matters, told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that the Nigerian government must now be considering its options.

“There are difficult options at best. Certainly a military or security force hostage rescue operation brings with it great, great risk, and I think there have been in public debate about Nigeria’s capability to perform that, but if they have an opportunity and see that is the right thing to do, they probably could.”

The President of Cameroon, Paul Biya at West leaders meeting hosted by France President, Francois Hollande two weeks ago stated that Boko Haram insurgency was not limited to Nigeria but the continent, adding that “we (leaders of the five countries) have to take a clear fight against Boko Haram.”

He reiterated commitment of the leaders to fight and declare a total war against the group, “which we will fight with all our strength.”