Separatists have kidnapped over 30 women and injured an unspecified number of others in Cameroon’s restive northwestern region, according to officials.
The women were kidnapped in Big Babanki, a village near the Nigerian border, for allegedly protesting a curfew and taxes imposed by the separatists.
“Around 30 women were kidnapped by separatists [on Saturday morning]– we have not found them yet,” an army colonel told AFP.
According to some local media, the number of those missing could be as high as 50 women.
Officials said the heavily armed rebels, who frequently kidnap civilians for ransom, “severely tortured” some of the women.
According to separatist leader Capo Daniel, the women were punished for allowing themselves to be “manipulated” by Cameroon’s government.
The military claims to have sent troops to free the women.
Fighting has raged in Cameroon since English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion in 2017.
According to the Crisis Group, the conflict has claimed over 6,000 lives and forced over a million people to flee their homes.
