War on Boko Haram:

Tchiroma hails Cameroon army, shames Amnesty Int’l

By Nche Jude Mbah in Yaounde

Issa Tchiroma Bakary

The Minister of Communication and government spokesperson has decried and denounced the mode of operation by amnesty international given that their reports are always published without being checked and cross-checked by the government. IssaTchiromaBakary was speaking to newsmen recently during a press conference at the conference hall of his Ministry which aimed at giving synopsis of recent happenings on the fight against the hazardous Islamic group, Boko Haram, with the Cameroonian soldiers.

                To go by Minister Tchiroma, given that amnesty international is putting all efforts to tarnish the image of the Cameroon government with their reports, they too are living no stone unturned to outsmart them. “Whenever they want to go to the field and do their findings, they will always come meet me to show them some directives but after that is done they go ahead and publish their reports without coming to show me what they obtained. This is unacceptable to me, it is with their erroneous report that they go out there and say how the government is this and that,” Tchiroma sustained.

                As the Minister recounted the recent happenings at the war front with Boko Haram, he happily disclosed the victory of the arm forces and vigilante groups that have put in their utmost at the war front and deserve to be hailed.

                Given the recent calm and serenity in the territory, Tchiroma said that those in the Northern Region from recent reports have gone back to their daily preoccupations. He encouraged those in the terrain to remain steadfast and vigilant to avoid the unknown.

                On the positive note that the activities of Boko Haram were being supported by Saudi Arabia, Tchiroma decried and denounced that the activities of Boko Haram can never be attributed and likened to that of Islam, but says Saudi Arabia is rather giving helping hands so that the group could be wiped-out.

                He acknowledged in strong terms that Cameroon has been working in close synergy with the Nigerian Arm force at the border to gain victory. The closeness of this brotherhood enabled some swift operations in some villages around the border near the Cameroonian territory over a 50Km distance in the Mayo-Sava division.

Secondly, the joint task force at the war front undertook to search and weed out the terrorists in their hideouts in the Nigerian territory.

                Hailing the positive balance sheet of operations on the war front, Tchiroma recounted how the enemy incurred huge losses with over 60 terrorists neutralized and 21 suspects arrested and are undergoing investigation with the Nigerian forces and relevant Cameroonian services.

                He argued that the Boko Haram refugee camp was completely destroyed in the Mandara Mountain where a fewer depot was completely destroyed. The house of Boko Haram leader (AbubakarShekau) which served as a meeting camp for terrorist was destroyed. Several weapons, one vehicle, eight motor-cycles and several propaganda materials including Boko Haram flags were all seized and destroyed, while over 500 persons who were arrested by the terrorists were released.

                Tchiroma called on Cameroonians especially those in the Northern Regions to be vigilant and give the forces of law and order much needed support to wipe out the terrorists once and for all.