Suspected Boko Haram militants kill 23 in Cameroon

At least 23 people have been killed in an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants in northern Cameroon.

Several children were among the victims who were killed on Sunday night after over 80 militants attacked the village of Kamouna, located near Lake Chad in the northern strip of Cameroon that lies between Nigeria and Chad, Pastor Edward Ngosu, a Nigerian missionary in the village, said on Monday.

Ngosu further said that there were only seven soldiers in the village at the time of the attack, adding, “They began shooting in the air to scare the attackers" but their move was unsuccessful.

Residents in the village had reportedly asked for more protection last week.

Boko Haram started its campaign of terror in Nigeria in 2009. The Takfiri group's militancy has claimed the lives of some 15,000 people over the past years.

The violence has spilled over into Nigeria’s neighboring countries. Soldiers from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger have been battling the terrorists in recent months.

Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau has repeatedly threatened to attack Niger and Chad and other countries that have joined forces against the militants.

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