The step follows a ruling by the ICJ defining the two countries border

Officials said the move was part of a deal to end a long-standing border dispute between the two countries.

A statement by the National Boundary Commission in Lagos said under an international court ruling, Cameroon also handed over a village to Nigeria.

The affected villages are near Lake Chad, on Nigeria's north-eastern border.

Spirit of 'African unity'

Following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in October 2002, which also awarded Cameroon the disputed oil-rich Bakassi peninsula, the two countries set up a joint commission to work out issues that would result in an acceptable demarcation of their common territories.

The leader of the Nigerian delegation, Bola Ajibola, expressed his satisfaction at their achievement.

"What we have done is unique in matters that are usually only resolved through wars."

He said that Nigeria would continue to cooperate with Cameroon in the spirit of "African unity" to implement every aspect of the ICJ ruling.

Nigeria's administration, military and police personnel in the 32 villages were withdrawn earlier this week.