Col. Tatang Francis, a military police commander in northern Cameroon, said Thursday that civilians from the Nigerian town of Banki fled across the border on Wednesday to escape heavy gunfire, and that Cameroonian forces responded to repel Boko Haram attackers who also tried to cross over.

He said officials arrested scores of people including suspected members of Boko Haram, which has been staging attacks in northeast Nigeria.

State radio reported that one woman in Cameroon was killed and five other shooting victims were taken to hospitals. Buildings and vehicles were damaged.