Cameroon releases 80 children suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers

Cameroon has released over 80 children suspected of being Nigerian Boko Haram’s suicide bombers, security sources told APA on Friday.According to the sources, the children have been held for nearly six months in a juvenile center in Maroua, North of Cameroon.

These young prisoners, suspected of undergoing terrorist training in Koranic schools in the region, are from villages bordering with Nigeria.

Two weeks ago, Human Rights organization, Amnesty International demanded Cameroon to release 84 children arrested following raids by the army on Koranic schools and who had not been charged with any offense.

On 20 December 2014, according to rights group, a joint force made up of police officers and soldiers had raided on several schools in Guirvidig city, arresting 43 men and 84 children including many teachers, as authorities claimed that the aforesaid establishments serve as a cover for Boko Haram training camps.

Majority of the children were less than 10 years old Amnesty International said, urging Cameroon to fulfill its commitment to respecting human rights in the fight against jihadist movement, and immediately release the children so they can be reunited with their families, provided they are charged with an offense duly recognized by law.

Amnesty International had also called on the government to carry out an independent investigation into the mass arrests that took place in Guirvidig and the detentions that followed up, and ensure that men arrested during the operation benefit from a fair trial.