SaharaReporters has learned that the Cameroonian
authorities paid Boko Haram insurgents at least $
400,000 in ransom in order to secure the release of
Francoise Agnes Moukouri, wife of Vice Prime Minister
Amadou Ali.
Boko Haram insurgents had abducted Mrs. Ali in July
from the town of Kolofata. The insurgents also seized
the town’s district head. The deal to secure their
release was struck three days ago, as SaharaReporters
exclusively reported.
Our source, who was part of the negotiation that led to
the release of Mrs. Ali and several other hostages,
disclosed that the terms of the settlement included the
payment of an undisclosed sum of money from the
Chinese government. Boko Haram subsequently
released 10 Chinese construction workers who had
been held hostage since their abduction in May.
In addition, the Cameroonian government agreed to
release four commanders of the Islamist group who
had been in Cameroonian jails. The most disturbing
part of the deal is that Boko Haram militants demanded
and received a significant supply of arms and
ammunition, including a guarantee by Cameroon that
the weapons would have safe passage to insurgent
fighters.
Our source disclosed that President Idris Derby of Chad
was instrumental in the negotiations because of his
closeness to some Boko Haram commanders.
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported three days
ago that the Cameroonian and Chinese hostages had
been released. Cameroonian Minister of Information,
Issa Bakary, initially denied the report. However, the
office of the Cameroonian President, Paul Biya, today
declared that 27 hostages, including Mrs. Ali, 10
Chinese construction workers, and the district head of
Kolofata had been released.
The Islamist group has wreaked havoc in Nigeria’s
northeast zone and has made occasional forays into
neighboring Cameroon.
SOURCE:
SAHARA REPORTERS
