Two Italian priests and a Canadian nun, kidnapped in Camaroon on 5 April have just been released. In a statement the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, confirmed the release of Fathers Gianantonio Allegri and Giampaolo Marta from Italy and Canadian Sister Gilberte Bussier.
The three were kidnapped by gunmen from the building where they were staying in the district of Maroua in the early hours of 5 April. No group claimed responsibility for the attack but suspicion has fallen on militant Nigerian group Boko Haram who kidnapped another priest, as well as seven members of a French family in northern Cameroon last year.
Federica Mogherini said: "It 'a great joy. I first thank the authorities of Cameroon President Paul Biya for the great work done and the Government of Canada with whom we have worked closely. I want to express my great satisfaction for the success of an operation conducted brilliantly, thanks to the continued cooperation between our intelligence services and the Crisis Unit of the Foreign Ministry."
Source: Italian Foreign Ministry
Comments