Thousands of Cameroonian soldiers, supported by Nigerian troops, have been launching raids on Boko Haram strongholds

Soldiers in Cameroon have freed more than 5,000 people held by Boko Haram and have killed at least 60 Islamic extremists in operations since the end of January, the government said.

Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said that thousands of Cameroonian soldiers, supported by Nigerian troops, have been launching raids on Boko Haram strongholds in the Mandara mountains that straddle the two countries.

He said that since the raids started on January 26, 21 suspects have been arrested and an insurgent refuge centre was destroyed along with a petroleum depot, weapons, an explosives factory, and the residence of a Boko Haram leader.

The people freed are receiving treatment at a camp in Banki, Nigeria.

Boko Haram's seven-year insurgency has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced some 2.6 million.

AP

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