DOUALA, Cameroon (Reuters) – A suicide bomber killed seven people and wounded 27 in Cameroon’s Far North region, Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma said on Friday, in an attack suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram militants.

The Islamist militant group wants to establish a caliphate in northeastern Nigeria and its attacks have spilt across the borders of neighbouring countries.

“There were two suicide bombers. Only the first bomb exploded,” said a local official.

The bomb exploded in Kolofata, near the town’s stadium, said a senior officer in the Cameroonian army. Authorities found a device for the second would-be bomber and are searching for the attacker who fled the scene.

Suicide bombings, often performed by young women recruited by the extremist group, have become regular occurrences in the Far North region.

Along with Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin, Cameroon has contributed troops to an 8,700-strong regional task force dedicated to fighting Boko Haram, although joint operations have yet to begin.

The United States has also sent troops to supply intelligence and other assistance.

Last week Cameroon’s army said it had killed 100 members of the group and freed 900 hostages.

The government denies Boko Haram holds territory in Cameroon.

Source:swissinfo