Two child suicide bombers hit Cameroon town

At least two civilians and a police officer were killed when the young attackers blew themselves up at about 8 am local time (0700 GMT).

The blasts happened in the town of Mora, which lies just a few kilometers from Boko Haram's strongholds in northeastern Nigeria.

A military officer told Reuters that the explosives were detonated when the police officer attempted to carry out a routine check, close to the town's stadium and market.

The official, who asked to remain anonymous said it was possible the death toll from the attack could rise.

Another official told Agence France Presse that at least one person was seriously injured. He added that if the two children had managed to reach the busy market, “the outcome would have been terrible.”

Attacks more regular

Boko Haram has intensified its attacks in the country since the Cameroon government launched a crackdown on the jihadi group, which has captured areas of northern Nigeria in recent years.

The Islamist group have previously used women and children to carry out suicide attacks, and will sometimes disguise male bombers in women's burqas.

The extreme north region of Cameroon is used as a base for recruiting and supplying its operations in Nigeria.

Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, Benin and Chad have financed an 8,700 strong regional force to tackle the militant Islamist group, which is expected to begin operations later this year.

This is the 10th suicide attack since July in northern Cameroon, which have claimed more than 100 people dead. It takes the regional death toll, this year, to close to 400, according to Amnesty International.

mm/rc (AFP, Reuters)