Cameroon/Nigeria: Boko Haram kills three in Far North and Borno Jan. 10

Event

Suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least three people in two separate attacks in Cameroon's Far North region and in Nigeria's Borno state on Wednesday, January 10. Militants killed at least two people and wounded another one in Gangawa (Far North region) on Wednesday evening (local time). Suspected militants also attacked the village of Ashigashiya, a village on the Nigerian-Cameroonian border in Borno state and Cameroon's Far North region, around 22:30 on Wednesday, killing at least one person and wounding one other. Additional attacks in Cameroon's Far North region and in Nigeria's Borno state are possible in the coming weeks.

Context

Although the counterinsurgency effort against Boko Haram that began in 2015 - led by West African states (Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger) - has greatly diminished the extent of the group's effective territorial control, the group continues to routinely carry out deadly terrorist attacks. Boko Haram's stronghold remains in northeastern Nigeria, and the majority of its activities are concentrated in this area. However, the Far North region of Cameroon, especially areas along the border with Nigeria, also regularly experiences attacks attributed to Boko Haram militants; the group has been carrying out attacks in Cameroon since 2013 and its presence in Far North dates back to at least 2011.

Advice

Individuals present in areas with a high risk of terrorism are advised to limit time in areas deemed particularly likely to be targeted in a terrorist attack (crowded markets, etc.) and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities.

Some Western governments advise citizens in or planning travel to Cameroon against travel to the Far North region as well as other areas bordering Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic; travel to these areas should only be considered with appropriate security protocols in place.

The security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa as well as parts of Kano and Adamawa states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.​