At least 20 Cameroonian soldiers were killed today in an attack by Boko Haram jihadists in northeastern Nigeria, near the border with Cameroon, sources close to the army said.
It is one of the deadliest attacks attributed to Boko Haram in recent months in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.
Cameroonian forces regularly operate in the region, as do forces from Nigeria, Niger and Chad, as part of anti-jihadist operations around Lake Chad, a volatile area that is home to both Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa fighters.
The northern part of Nigeria has been facing a jihadist insurgency for more than 15 years, which has killed 40.000 people and displaced two million within the country, according to the UN.
Boko Haram fighters came to the town of Vulgo disguised as herders and traders and attacked the Cameroonian army there, two sources close to the army said, adding that 20 Cameroonian soldiers were killed in the clash and their bodies were transported to the Cameroonian border.
Boko Haram took several weapons, including anti-aircraft guns, during the conflict, the same sources said.
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