The Cameroonian military says members of the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram have abducted the wife of the country's deputy prime minister in the northern Cameroonian town of Kolofata.
A local religious leader and mayor was also abducted from the same town.
Separately, at least five people in northern Nigeria were killed in a blast - residents suspect Boko Haram.
Boko Haram has stepped up cross-border attacks into Cameroon in recent weeks, as the army was deployed to the region.
Militants have kidnapped foreign nationals in northern Cameroon before, including a French family and Chinese workers.
'Critical situation'
The wife of Deputy Prime Minister Amadou Ali and her maid were taken in "a savage attack" on his home by Boko Haram militants on Sunday, Information Minister Issa Tchiroma said.
But Mr Ali, who was breaking his fast for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the time of the attack, managed to escape to a neighbouring town, regional commander Col Feliz Nji Formekong told the Reuters news agency.
Charges
Cameroon's long and porous border with Nigeria means Boko Haram fighters can come and go at will, attacking police stations and villages, and spreading terror throughout the region, says BBC Africa editor Mary Harper.
The group has attacked Cameroon three times in as many days in the past week, killing at least four soldiers, Reuters reports. ...
"Removed by Boko Haram, the wife of Deputy Prime Minister of Cameroon have been released"
(Ecofin Agency) - According to Radio France International (RFI), the wife of Deputy Prime Minister of Cameroon, Amadou Ali (pictured) removed 27 July 2014 by the Nigerian terrorist organization Boko Haram, was released less 24 hours after the attack in the town of Kolofata, located in the region of the Far North of Cameroon, Nigeria border.
Ms. Ali, according to the same source, was released in circumstances still "fuzzy", with the other hostages taken in their retirement by members of the Islamic sect. ....
