15 Aug 2013

Boko Haram deputy leader reported killed

8:49 am on 15 August 2013

The Nigerian military says it has killed the second in command of the Boko Haram group.

Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said Momodou Bama, also known as "Abu Saad", died earlier this month during an attack in the northeastern state of Borno.

The BBC reports there has been no independent confirmation of his death. Seventeen others were also reported killed and 24 captured.

General Olukolade said there was a bounty of 25 million naira ($US155,000, £100,000) on his head.

Boko Haram wants to establish an Islamic state in northern Nigeria. Its insurgency began in 2009.

Nigeria declared an emergency in three north-eastern states in May.