REUTERS: Cameroon's army has freed 24 of some 80 hostages kidnapped during a cross-border attack by suspected Boko Haram Islamist fighters based in neighbouring Nigeria, a defence ministry spokesman said on Monday.

The kidnapping, which occurred in the north of Cameroon on Sunday around the village of Mabass, was one of the largest abductions on Cameroonian soil. Many children were among the hostages.

Take a look at: Fighters from Nigeria kidnap 80 in Cameroon

“The Cameroon army was able to free about 24 hostages taken yesterday by Boko Haram in the far north. They were freed as defence forces pursued the attackers who were heading back to Nigeria,” said ministry spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of people and kidnapped hundreds in its bid to carve out an Islamic state in northern Nigeria. In recent months, it has targeted Cameroon and Niger as it seeks to expand its zone of operations.

On the weekend, neighbouring Chad deployed troops to help Cameroon in its efforts to tackle the insurgency in the area.

Know more: Boko Haram steps up attacks in Cameroon

Until recently, Boko Haram had focused its attacks on several Cameroonian border posts across from towns it controls in the Nigerian state of Borno.

It has also been using Cameroon as a place to rest and stock up with arms and food.

But its attacks are now spreading further south into the country.

Members of the group have slit the throats of market-goers in broad daylight near the northern city of Mokolo, according to Cameroon's army.