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French tourists seized in Cameroon near Nigeria border French tourists seized in Cameroon near Nigeria border
(about 1 hour later)
Gunmen in northern Cameroon have abducted seven French tourists near the border with Nigeria, French President Francois Hollande has said. Seven French tourists have been kidnapped by gunmen in Cameroon, near the border with Nigeria, French President Francois Hollande has said.
He says they belong to the same family and were seized by a "known terrorist group based in Nigeria".He says they belong to the same family and were seized by a "known terrorist group based in Nigeria".
Mr Hollande added that the seven - who are said to include children - were probably taken to northern Nigeria. Mr Hollande added that the seven - including four children - were probably taken to northern Nigeria.
Two militant groups are active there. One, Ansaru, claimed the abduction of seven foreign workers on Sunday. He indicated that the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram may have been responsible.
Italian, British, Greek and Lebanese workers are thought to be among those being held after the attack on a construction project in Bauchi state. "I see the hand of Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon, and that is worrying enough for us to mobilise," Mr Hollande said.
Ansaru also says it is holding a French national, Francis Colump, who was seized in the northern state of Katsina. He said everything possible was being done to rescue the family and warned other French nationals in northern Cameroon to avoid "exposing themselves".
Another Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, has staged many attacks across northern Nigeria in recent years. The family had been returning from a visit to Waza National Park when they were attacked by men on motorcycles, Cameroonian officials said.
A Cameroonian security official told France's AFP news agency that the family had been returning from a visit to Waza National Park when they were attacked.
The incidents come amid a French-led intervention against Islamist militants in Mali.The incidents come amid a French-led intervention against Islamist militants in Mali.
At least eight French nationals are being held by Islamist groups in Africa. At least eight French nationals were already being held by Islamist groups in Africa.
Boko Haram has staged many attacks across northern Nigeria in recent years, targeting churches, government buildings and the security forces.
Another Islamist group- Ansaru - is also active in the region.
On Sunday, Ansaru claimed the abduction of seven foreign workers in Nigeria.
Italian, British, Greek and Lebanese workers are thought to be among those held after an attack on a construction project in Bauchi state.
Ansaru also says it is holding a French national, Francis Colump, who was seized in the northern state of Katsina.