Cameroon's
special forces have killed 162 Boko Haram militants in Nigeria's northeastern
town of Goshi, destroying bomb factories and weapons to retake the extremist
stronghold, the government said.
The town is now under the control of Nigerian forces after
the operation led by Cameroon special forces from Feb. 11 to Feb. 14,
Cameroon's communication minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said late Monday.
Cameroon forces freed about 100 people being held by the
insurgents, including Cameroonians and Nigerians, he said. Two members of
Cameroon's military were killed, he said. The two, including a senior
commander, were reported killed after their convoy hit a vehicle Sunday.
"The
town of Goshi in Nigeria was formally identified as one of the Boko Haram
posts, hosting factories for the manufacturing of bombs and mines," Bakary
said. He added that the town was also used to house teenagers who are used as
human bombs during suicide attacks.
Bakary said 162 Boko Haram fighters were killed, four mine
factories dismantled, and special forces seized at least five readied mines,
hundreds of explosive holders, suicide vests and triggers. A previously
identified training center, along with two vehicles were also set on fire, he
said.