FRANCE and Cameroon have become involved in a diplomatic row after the Cameroonian Army captured eight French nationals during its recent crackdown on Boko Haram and insisted in trying them rather than hand them over to Paris.

Over recent weeks, Cameroon has stepped up its campaign against Boko Haram as part of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) involving four nations in the region. As part of this clampdown the Cameroonian military has arrested numerous members of the sect and among those captured have been eight French nationals.

Cameroonian authorities want to try the terrorists within Cameroon, while her former colonial master France is insisting they be extradited to face trial in French courts. Enraged with the audacity of Cameroun to hold its citizens, French foreign minister Lauren Fabuci, was alleged to have ordered that the suspects be handed over immediately.

One Cameroonian minister was said: “Mr Lauren Fabuci, the French foreign minister, has ordered Cameroon to release immediately eight Europeans captured by our security men, for being part of Boko Haram terrorists. Mr Fabuci demanded their immediate handover to France so that they can prosecute the terrorists on French soil, ignoring our sovereignty and independence.

 “The French are acting as if Cameroun is their errand boy that they can order around and ignore the fact that we have our own laws with which we can try the terrorists. France is trying to silence Cameroonians but Africa must rise to the occasion and take these findings seriously."

Made up mainly of Nigerians, Boko Haram also has some Chadians in its ranks but also has a large presence of Arabs, Malians and other Islamists. According to military sources, there is now evidence of French and European participation in Boko Haram's activities, indicating that it has very active and sophisticated foreign backing.

MNJTF commanders are confident that with the ongoing onslaught against Boko Haram, they will soon liberate border towns like Baga and Bama. Made up of troops from Chad, Cameroon, Niger Republic and Nigeria, the MNJTF has successfully captured several high profile towns from Boko Haram over the last week.