YAOUNDE (Reuters) – Suspected Boko Haram rebels from Nigeria attacked a
\nChinese work site in northern Cameroon on Friday and at least 10 people
\nare believed to have been kidnapped, the regional governor said on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
The Chinese embassy in Yaounde confirmed the attack at a site near the
\ntown on Waza, 20 km (12 miles) from the Nigerian border close to the
\nSambisa forest, a Boko Haram stronghold.<\/p>\n
The Islamist group kidnapped more than 200 girls from a school on the
\nNigerian side of the border last month and Nigerian troops backed by
\nforeign units are searching the area around the forest for them.<\/p>\n
Friday’s incident began when power was cut in the evening. A five-hour
\ngunfight followed, a guard at the Waza National Park told Reuters.<\/p>\n
“Some of us decided to hide in the forest with the animals,” the guard
\nsaid, requesting anonymity.<\/p>\n
The governor of Far North Region, Augustine Fonka Awa, said he believed
\nBoko Haram had carried out the attack. Authorities are investigating
\nreports that at least one Cameroon soldier was killed and 10 people were
\nabducted, he said.<\/p>\n
The Chinese state new agency Xinhua quoted Chinese officials as saying one
\nperson was injured.<\/p>\n
The Chinese embassy suspended visits to the area.<\/p>\n
“For companies operating in the northern part of Cameroon in particular,
\nthey should instantly start security contingency plans,” the embassy said
\nin a statement. At least two Chinese enterprises operate in the region.
\nXinhua said an engineering unit of state-run construction company
\nSinohydro, which is repairing roads, operated the camp.<\/p>\n
Yan Chang Logone Development Holding Company, a subsidiary of China’s
\nYanchang Petroleum, is exploring for oil.<\/p>\n
Boko Haram has staged several attacks in northern Cameroon during its
\nfive-year fight to set up an Islamist state. Last month, it attacked a
\npolice post killing two people. The rebels kidnapped a French family in
\nFebruary 2013.<\/p>\n
West African leaders were meeting in Paris on Saturday to improve
\ncooperation in the fight against Boko Haram and other militant groups.<\/p>\n
Nigerian authorities say Cameroon has not done enough to secure its border
\nbecause Boko Haram has been using the sparsely populated Far North region
\nas a transit route for weapons and as a rear base for attacks in
\nnortheastern Nigeria.<\/p>\n
Cameroon said in March it would send 700 soldiers to its northeastern
\nborder as part of regional efforts to tackle the armed group.<\/p>\n
Outrage over the kidnapping of the schoolgirls has prompted Nigerian
\nPresident Goodluck Jonathan, criticised at home for his government’s slow
\nresponse, to accept U.S., British and French intelligence help in the hunt
\nfor the girls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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