Three Cameroonian Aid Workers Freed After 100 Days in Captivity

Three Cameroonian aid workers with the French NGO Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI) were released on Friday near Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria, around 100 kilometers from the Cameroonian border, after being held captive for 100 days. The two men and a woman were kidnapped on January 10 in the village of Yeme in Cameroon's Far North region, where they were working on food security and the fight against malnutrition.

According to PUI, the aid workers are "safe and sound, shaken, but we are reassured about their physical integrity." The Nigerian army collected the freed hostages, but the circumstances of their liberation and the group that held them captive were not provided.

Cameroon's northern tip and northeastern Nigeria have been the scene of violence involving the Boko Haram jihadist group and its rivals. The region has seen a surge in killings and abductions of civilians for ransom.

Why this matters: The kidnapping of aid workers in conflict-ridden areas emphasizes the risks faced by humanitarian organizations operating in volatile regions. It highlights the need for increased security measures and international cooperation to ensure the safety of those providing vital assistance to vulnerable populations.

PUI has been working in Cameroon since 2008 to address the health, food, and education needs of people affected by armed attacks in the region. In March 2022, five employees of Doctors Without Borders were also kidnapped in the far north of Cameroon and released in Nigeria, mirroring a similar occurrence to the recent incident involving the PUI aid workers.

"The aid workers were 'shaken' but in good physical condition," stated the head of operations at PUI, expressing relief at their release after the harrowing 100-day ordeal. The freed hostages are now under the care of the Nigerian military as they recover from the traumatic experience and prepare to be reunited with their families and colleagues.

Key Takeaways

• 3 Cameroonian aid workers kidnapped in Cameroon, freed in Nigeria after 100 days
• Aid workers were working on food security and fighting malnutrition in Cameroon
• Kidnapping highlights risks faced by humanitarian groups in volatile regions
• Similar kidnapping of 5 Doctors Without Borders workers occurred in March 2022
• Aid workers were "shaken" but in good physical condition after release