More than 1,000 people suspected of being affiliated with the Nigeria-based Boko Haram group are being held in a prison in the far northern Cameroonian town of Maroua, an army official said on Monday.

"At the moment, the prison of Maroua is holding more than 1,000 Boko Haram (suspects)," said Colonel Joseph Nouma, commander of a local operation to combat the Islamist militants.