Nighttime ambush by Boko Haram militants leaves eight dead in Cameroon’s Far North

In the early hours of Friday night, armed assailants linked to Boko Haram stormed the village of Kangaleri, located in the Mayo-Sava department of Cameroon’s Far North region. The violent raid unfolded shortly after 11 p.m., throwing the community into terror and chaos. Six residents were killed instantly, while three others sustained severe injuries and were rushed for emergency care. Tragically, two of the wounded later died from their injuries, bringing the confirmed death toll to eight. One survivor remains hospitalized under critical observation, local health officials confirmed.

Witnesses reported that the attackers struck under the cover of darkness, a pattern commonly employed by the militant group to evade security forces. The identities of the victims and the exact sequence of events are still under investigation.

Second attack targets border region

Just hours after the Kangaleri assault, another Boko Haram-linked raid was reported in Tourou, a settlement near Mokolo in Cameroon’s Far North. The militants looted livestock and personal belongings before ransacking a local market situated close to the town center. No casualties were immediately reported from this second incident, though authorities are assessing damage and gathering further details.

Persistent security challenges despite ongoing operations

Northern Cameroon continues to face recurrent incursions by Boko Haram fighters and splinter factions, despite sustained counter-insurgency efforts by the Cameroonian military and partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating in the Lake Chad basin. These attacks highlight the persistent vulnerability of border communities and the need for enhanced protection and response strategies.