Cameroon expels 1 000s of Nigerians in Boko Haram fight

Yaounde - Cameroon officials say they have expelled more than 3 000 Nigerians as part of the fight against the Nigerian-born Islamic extremist group which has launched attacks across borders.

Midjiyawa Bakary, governor of Cameroon's Far North region, says authorities have also arrested hundreds of Cameroonians and Nigerians accused of collaborating with Boko Haram. He said they deported Nigerians who said they were refugees but were not staying at refugee camps and did not have identification papers.

Bakary said on Tuesday that women, children and men were taken to Nigeria's Sahuda village in Mubi, along the border.

In Nigeria, many said they were forced to flee quickly over the weekend.

Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency chairperson Haruna Hamman Furo said 800 people have been registered. He said 12 000 Nigerians may eventually be sent back.