Boko Haram holding kidnapped French priest: group source

Boko Haram is holding a French priest who was kidnapped in northern Cameroon, a source within the banned Nigerian Islamist group said on Friday.

Boko Haram is holding a French priest who was kidnapped in northern Cameroon, a source within the banned Nigerian Islamist group said on Friday.

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"I can confirm that the French priest is in the hands of mujahideen (fighters) from Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, who carried out the operation that was co-ordinated with Ansaru," the source, who demanded anonymity said.

The name he gave is that of Boko Haram, which prefers to go by the title in Arabic, which translates as "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad".

Ansaru is an offshoot of the militant group and has previously claimed kidnappings of foreign nationals.