DOUALA, Cameroon — Cameroon’s government says the military has killed 143 militants from the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, which has been waging war in neighbouring Nigeria.

In a statement Tuesday on state television, authorities said hundreds of militants attacked a military camp the day before near the border with Nigeria.

Cameroonian Information Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in the statement that the fight lasted five hours. He said a Cameroonian corporal was killed and four other soldiers were wounded, but gave no other details.

Boko Haram is responsible for thousands of deaths since it began its insurgency against the Nigerian government. The group also has been blamed for a growing number of attacking in neighbouring countries including Cameroon.

The group recently issued a video threatening Cameroon President Paul Biya.