Hundreds of civilians are said to have fled Sagmé, the Cameroonian locality in the Far North region that borders Nigeria after an attack by Boko Haram terrorists over the weekend claimed the lives of eight defense forces and sent more than a dozen to the hospital.
Those from localities bordering Sagmé are said to have equally fled to the bushes after the deadly attack.
The Governor of the region, Midjiyawa Bakari has called on the population to return to their localities following a redeployment of the military to protect them.
Speaking to State channel, CRTV, Governor Bakari enjoined the people to cooperate with the military for an effective fight against the Islamist group’s insurgency in the area.
He said he has asked traditional rulers, the clergy and community leaders to remobilize self-defence groups, especially along the border with Nigeria.
VOA reported that security analyst and former military spokesman, Col Didier Badjeck stressed the role of the population in defeating Boko Haram terrorists.
The security analyst reportedly said elements of the Islamist group have been infiltrating many localities on the northern border with Nigeria and that it is very difficult for the military to detect the terrorists if civilians do not collaborate by reporting strangers in all border towns and villages.
He further indicated that churches and mosques should ask civilians to stop lodging visitors and giving strangers food, thinking that they are obeying religious teachings because fighters may be disguising themselves as ranchers moving around in search of food for their cattle or as farmers visiting markets to sell crops.
Boko Haram and its breakaway faction Islamic State West Africa Province have increased their deadly attacks against defense forces and the population in the Far North region of Cameroon in recent years.
