Boko Haram frees 27 hostages in Cameroon

Cameroonian President Paul Biya on Friday night announced that 27 hostages, including 10 Chinese workers, held by suspected Boko Haram insurgents had been released.

British Broadcasting Corporation reported that, those freed include the wife of Cameroonian Vice-Prime Minister, Amadou Ali.

President Biya, in a statement on the state radio, said the hostages, seized close to the Nigerian border in May and July, were safe.

Boko Haram is seeking to establish an Islamist state in Nigeria but its fighters often cross the long and porous border with Cameroon.

In July, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger agreed to form a 2,800-strong regional force to tackle the Boko Haram insurgents.

Cameroon has reinforced its troops in its northern regions.

Biya said in the state radio broadcast, “The 27 hostages kidnapped on May 16, 2014, at Waza and on July 27, 2014, at Kolofata were given this night to Cameroonian authorities.

“Ten Chinese, the wife of the Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali, the Lamido (a local religious leader) of Kolofata, and the members of their families kidnapped with them are safe.”

No details were given on the circumstances of the release.