In a recent cross-border raid on Sunday, the Nigeria-based Boko Haram fighters seized at least 80 people in northern Cameroon, most of them women and children.
Cameroon Information Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakari told Al Jazeera that the Cameroon army was able to free at least 24 of the hostages on Monday.
“They were freed as defence forces pursued the attackers who were heading back to Nigeria,” defence ministry spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck said.
The attack on Sunday occurred in the village of Mabass, in the Far North region, Bakary said. He said 80 houses were destroyed.
“We are dealing with barbaric people, lawless people,” Bakary said. “Nothing can prevent them from assassinating.”
The raid came a day after neighbouring Chad deployed troops to combat Boko Haram in Cameroon and Nigeria, as part of a regional bid to combat the group.
Concern is growing as Boko Haram is expands its operations into neighbouring countries. The group has been recruiting fighters in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, and recently issued a video threatening Paul Biya, Cameroon’s president.