ICC Note: Missionaries in the northern provinces of Cameroon were forced to evacuate after the latest attacks by Boko Haram. Foreigners have been subjected to kidnappings in the past in order to garner some method of ransom in return for their safety. According to Christoph Haus, European Baptist Mission (EBM International) general secretary, there are approximately 350 Baptist churches in the predominately Muslim province. Recent reports suggest Boko Haram has altered their tactics and are using children as suicide bombers, continuing to target majority Christian communities. Some theorize those being used as “kamikazes” are the Chibok girls kidnapped by the Islamist group in Nigeria.
09/25/2015 FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Baptist Standard)—German-based Baptist mission agency EBM International—formerly European Baptist Mission—evacuated all its missionaries and volunteers from the Far North province in Cameroon following a series of bombings by Boko Haram.
“Since January 2013, Boko Haram has started to kidnap foreigners in order to release them for money,” said Christoph Haus, EBMI general secretary, who was visiting the western Central African nation. “They have kidnapped almost 20 foreigners. Some of them were missionaries.”
Areas in Cameroon where EBM International has work. Activities by the militant Islamist group have intensified recently.
