Boko Haram tried to break bridge linking Cmr to Nigeria

Fighters of the Nigerian Islamist group, Boko Haram have tried in vain to break a bridge linking Cameroon and Nigeria after taking control of the Nigerian city of Gamboru Ngala, reports AFP on Tuesday.

"Boko Haram wanted to bomb the bridge that connects Fotokol (Far North Cameroon) to Gamboru," said a police officer in the Cameroonian city.

On Monday, Nigerian Islamists attacked the town of Gamboru Ngala, causing the flee of Nigerian military in Fotokol.

According to the officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, it is after taking control of Gamboru Ngala that Islamists tried to break the bridge that marks the border between the two countries.

"It was not easy for them. There were intense exchanges of gun shots between our men and them," he said.

"The Cameroonian military took over and have also recovered a pickup (with weapons on-board) that Boko Haram had positioned on the bridge," he has said.

"Calm has returned, but our men are on their guard. Attackers were out of ammunition yesterday (Monday), but they may be trying to restock," he added.

According to the Cameroonian police source, "Nigerian soldiers present during the Gamboru attack held their fort for a long time before giving up because the attackers were outnumbered."

"They spent the night at the Fotokol customs (Cameroon)," reported the officer.

The Nigerian army seems to have more and more difficulty in dealing with Islamist Boko Haram, especially in border communities.

Sunday night, nearly 500 Nigerian soldiers fearing the attack of the Islamist armed group Boko Haram fled to take refuge in the far north of Cameroon, according to the officer.

They returned to Nigeria in the night of Monday, according to the same source.