GOSHI, Nigeria, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Cameroon says its armed forces captured a major Boko Haram stronghold in northeastern Nigeria, killing more than 100 militants and freeing hundreds of hostages.

Voice of America quoted Cameroon Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary as saying the troops assaulted the town of Goshi between Feb. 11 and Feb. 14, killing at least 162 Boko Haram fighters.


Intelligence reports indicated the militants had established training facilities and bomb-making factories in the town and were brainwashing teenage girls to become suicide bombers.

Cameroon handed control of Goshi to Nigeria, which reportedly approved the mission in advance. The town lies nine miles from the border that divides the two nations.

Two Cameroonian soldiers were killed in the operation, which was led by special forces troops and resulted in the release of hundreds of Cameroonian and Nigerian hostages.

The Nigerian military said Tuesday at least nine Cameroonian soldiers were injured when an improvised explosive device detonated next to their convoy as it traveled on a road between the towns of Pulka and Goshi.

Since 2009, Nigeria and its neighbors have battled insurgents with terrorist group Boko Haram, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State last year. At least 20,000 people have been killed in violence associated with the group, according to the United Nations.

Boko Haram seeks the formation of an Islamist government in Nigeria and has also been known to conduct attacks in Niger, Chad and Cameroon -- which, along with Benin, are members of an African Union-sponsored coalition that has conducted raids against the group along the border since last year.

CAMEROONIAN TROOPS HAND OVER SUSPECTED BOKO HARAM TERRORISTThe cooperation with our neighbours have brought renewed... Posted by Defence Headquarters Nigeria on Tuesday, February 16, 2016