Cameroon's Far North Region.
Photo: World Watch Monitor
Residents of Roum village, in the Far North Region of Cameroon, were abruptly awoken on the night of January 16th as blazing fires engulfed two churches and numerous homes in their village community. Boko Haram militants, who had stormed the village late that night, has claimed responsibility for the attack, in which four villagers were killed.
In addition to the destruction of the Union des Eglise Evangelique Church and a Catholic parish, the fire also destroyed 93 huts, 20 food storehouses, and 11 motorbikes. Not far from the village, a health centre belonging to the evangelical church was attacked that same night.
Earlier in January, Nigeria-based Boko Haram militants attacked other towns in the same region, such as Mozogo and Moskota. Communities of the Far North Region sharing a border with Nigeria have been most affected by Boko Haram's insurgency. The department of Mayo-Tsanga, which includes Mozogo and Moskota, is one of the militants' constant targets.
Back in August of 2017, six siblings were kidnapped from Moskota during a night raid by Boko Haram. At the time of the raid their father, Adamu Nguda, who served as a church elder, was killed and their mother left behind in a state of total shock. Thankfully, the children, who were between the ages of three and 15 at the time, managed to safely escape from captivity. They were later found close to the country's border near Nigeria by a group of vigilantes. A previous report on the kidnapping is available here.
May these many traumatized victims of terrorism be kept safe from any further threats or attacks. Ask the Lord to lovingly minister great comfort and hope as they recover from their loss, while also ensuring they receive practical assistance -- such as shelter, food, transportation, places of worship -- so they will know of His provision and restoration in their lives and communities.
