CAMEROON - The twenty-seven kidnap victims, including ten Chinese nationals, were released on Saturday by their captors, the Boko Haram militant group.

Republic of Cameroon President Paul Biya, himself, announced that the victims were freed by their kidnappers.

"The twenty-seven hostages, kidnapped on May 16, 2014 at Waza and on July 27, 2014 at Kolofata were given this night to Cameroonian authorities," said President Biya.

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"Ten Chinese, the wife of Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali, Kolofata religious leader Lamido, and their family members are safe," President Biya added.

President Biya, however, did not give more information on how the kidnappers released the victims.

There were also speculations that a ransom was involved for the release of the victims.

Vice Prime Minister Ali's wife and a maid were kidnapped by Boko Haram fighters last July at their house in Kolofata. Vice Prime Minister Ali was present when the incident happened but he was able to escape from the kidnappers.

Boko Haram is a militant group that originated from Nigeria. Most of its members often crossed to Cameroon through its border. They claim, they are seeking for the establishment of an Islamist State in Nigeria.

Many civilians, living in that part of Nigerian border, have taken refuge in Cameroon to avoid the attacks and harassments of Boko Haram fighters.

According to some of the residents, they are afraid that they, too, might be kidnapped by the Boko Haram members.

The countries of Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon made a joint effort in July to crackdown Boko Haram. They formed a Regional Task Force that involves 2,800 people, to fight the Boko Haram.

The Boko Haram militant group was also allegedly responsible for the kidnap of around 200 girls who were onboard their school bus along Nigeria-Cameroon border when they were abducted.

TagsBoko Haram, Nigeria, Cameroon, Free Our Girls