United Against Boko Haram: Christians, Muslims, protect each other during prayers

In December 2015, suspected members of Boko Haram, which said it was attacking Cameroon to create an Islamist state, started attacking mosques.

Cameroon Christians have begun guarding mosques during their prayer sessions while Muslims also guard the churches, VOA reports.

This became necessary after five attacks on mosques by suspected Boko Haram fighters.

The fifth mosque was attacked by a teenage male suicide bomber near the central African nation's border with Nigeria.

Boko Haram is now attacking not only churches, schools and markets, but mosques, making Cameroonians more united to fight what they call a common enemy.

The vigilante groups were created to assist the government against increasing attacks by Boko Haram, which even began using female suicide bombers early last year.

One of the vigilantes, 55-year-old Jacques Mabali, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon, said he is carrying out a social activity for the well-being of his country, that it is his duty as a Christian to defend his country from violence.

READ: Govt urges increased vigilance after mosque attacks

In December 2015, suspected members of Boko Haram, which said it was attacking Cameroon to create an Islamist state, started attacking mosques.