Below is a press release from the Minister of Communication.

“The Minister of Communication hereby informs the national and international public opinion that early on Monday January 12, 2015 at around 6:30 am, the locality of Kolofata in the Mayo-Sava Division, Far-North Region of Cameroon, was subject of an attack of the Boko Haram terrorist group from the neighbouring country, Nigeria.

The target of these murderers was certainly the military camp of Kolofata held by the Cameroonian Army.

Taking advantage of a particularly cloudy atmospheric condition experienced during this period of the year, the assailants, who were hundreds of them, made it up to the border and tried to surprise our defence forces.

But immediately after they were alerted, our defence forces prepared the response, and fierce fighting started, lasting more than five hours near the military camp and over other strategic points of the locality.

Retaking the initiative of the fighting, our defence forces succeeded in neutralizing the attackers on the first front line, by a systematic bombing of their positions resulting in the withdrawal of the assailants towards the border with Nigeria.

At the end of the fighting, the balance was clear over the side of the terrorists who last 143 lives and important warfare equipment made up of assault rifles of various brand, heavy weapons and bullets of all calibres as well as Motorola transmission terminals VHF were seized.

This is the most severe loss suffered by the Boko Haram criminal sect since it decided to target our country in the course of their barbarous attacks against our territory, population and goods.

On the Cameroonian side, we lost one life, the Chief Corporal BELLA ONANA, as well as four wounded.

This is the opportunity to render, once again, on behalf of the government, a vibrant homage to our defence forces; who honour the entire Nation and his Chief, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul Biya, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, in their fight against the Boko Haram terrorist organization in the Far North Region in particular, and generally, for the security and preservation of the territorial integrity of our country.

The entire Cameroonian people unconditionally support our defence forces who, on the war front, unfortunately risk their lives to protect ours.

On behalf of the government, the Minister of Communication calls on the Cameroonian populations to remain vigilant and to systematically report to the administrative authorities and to our defence and security forces all behaviours apparently suspect within their respective environment