APA – N’Djamena (Chad) – Most of those kidnapped were traders and students on their way inside Cameroon.
In a statement, the Chadian Ministry of Public Security and Immigration denied that the travellers were taken hostage on Chadian territory.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, on October 22, at around 5pm, a number of vehicles leaving Chad with Chadian traders and students travelling to Cameroon were attacked by suspected criminals at the Chad-Cameroon border.
It said the attack took place in the first village, 13 kilometres inside Cameroon, in the village of Bogdibo, between Koutéré and Touboro.
All the passengers were kidnapped and taken to an unknown location. Three of the hostages were released a few minutes after the operation, the ministry said.
In order to locate and free the other hostages, the public security authorities were mobilised together with the Cameroonian authorities.
This enabled the Chadian security forces to free eight hostages.
The Ministry of Public Security and Immigration has warned those spreading false information on the Internet in order to sow doubt and fear, and has reassured the public that the necessary resources have been mobilised to return all those kidnapped in complete safety.
The ministry said the matter will be fully investigated.
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