2015 Fotokol attack explained

2015 Fotokol attack
Partof:Spillover of the Islamist insurgency in Nigeria
Location:Fotol Cameroon
Date:4–5 February 2015
Type:Massacre, mass shooting, arson
Fatalities:91 / 100
Injuries:500
Perps:Boko Haram

The 2015 Fotokol attack occurred on 4 and 5 February 2015 when Boko Haram militants reportedly killed at least 91 people by shooting and burning, and injured over 500 in Fotokol, Cameroon. The militants, who are based in northeastern Nigeria and active in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon,[1] also torched mosques and churches of the town.[2] [3] This attack came a day after the regional forces said it had driven Boko Haram from Gambaru, a Nigerian town close by.[4] This was the second foreign country attack by the militants in 2015. This region of Niger is an area where refugees had arrived by the thousands seeking safety from Boko Haram attacks.[5]

Cameroonian troops and Chadian forces have been deployed as a regional force to fight back. The Chadian army has claimed to have killed around 200 militants.[6] The United Nations had also provided support with weapons, logistics, and operations for this multinational effort against Boko Haram.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Country Reports on Terrorism 2013 . U.S. Department of State . Bureau of Counterterrorism . 7 August 2014.
  2. News: Boko Haram Shoot, Burn To Death Dozens Of Civilians In Cameroon. Huffington Post. 7 February 2015. 5 February 2015.
  3. News: Boko Haram kill more than 100 in Cameroon: local leader . Reuters . 4 February 2015 . Madjiasra . Nako . Matthew Mpoke . Bigg . 12 October 2016.
  4. News: Boko Haram kills 90 civilians and wounds 500 in Cameroon attacks . The Guardian . 5 February 2015 . 22 April 2019.
  5. Web site: Boko Haram attacks border towns in Niger . Al Jazeera . 22 April 2019.
  6. News: Boko Haram 'kill 70' in Cameroon border town of Fotokol . BBC News . 4 February 2015 . 22 April 2019.