"Prisoners among other things were exchanged for hostages"

Issa Bakary Tchiroma, Minister of Communication appeared to have openly lied when last Friday, he took to the media, furiously denying press reports that Cameroonian hostages held by the terrorist group Boko Haram had been freed.

Contrary to his denials that the hostages were freed, President Paul Biya has confirmed the release of the 17 Cameroonian hostages (including wife of Deputy Prime Minister Amadou Ali) and 10 Chinese kidnapped between May and July by Nigerian Islamic militants Boko Haram.

They were released Friday night at a border point between Nigeria’s Borno State and Cameroon’s Mayo-Sava division in the Far North region. In exchange, Cameroon, among other things, released members of the sect who had been arrested and held within its territory, according to news reports.

“The President of the Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency Mr. Paul Biya, announces to the national and international public that the 27 hostages kidnapped on May 16 at Waza and July 27, 2014 at Fotokol were handed over to Cameroonian authorities last night,” Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary General at the Presidency said in a written statement Saturday.

The presidency said the 10 Chinese nationals, the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Amadou Ali, the Lamido of Kolofata and other members of their families kidnapped together are “safe and sound.” President Biya thanked all those who worked tirelessly for this happy outcome, without giving further details.

“He (Biya) reaffirms his strong commitment to spare no effort to ensure border security both inside the country to ensure Cameroon remains a land of peace, stability, tolerance; advancing calmly and resolutely towards emergence,” the statement concluded.

At press time, the Chinese hostages had left the Chinese Embassy in Yaounde for the Presidency (Unity Palace) where they were expected to be received by President Biya.