Suspected Islamists have killed at least six people and kidnapped more than 50 in a raid on a village in northern Cameroon, according to a soldier sent to the scene.

The attack took place in the early hours of Tuesday in the village of Tchakamari in the region known as the Extreme North. A vigilante from a neighbouring village gave a higher toll, saying eight had been killed and 135 abducted.

Cameroon, which is part of a regional force fighting Boko Haram militants from neighbouring Nigeria, has been hit by a series of deadly attacks by the Islamists in recent months.