Nigerian troops kill scores of rebels in northern state

Nigeria's military said scores of terrorists were killed in an operation in Sambisa forest of the northeastern state of Borno, where intensive efforts to rout the Islamic extremist group of Boko Haram are going on.

Some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists were killed while others were fatally wounded during the air raid on Friday, Sani Usman, a Nigerian Army spokesman, said in a statement reaching Xinhua on Tuesday.

"In what one could describe as the most unprecedented and spectacular air raid, we have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the Nigerian Air Force, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were fatally wounded," he said.

According to him, Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed killed in the raid include Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, while their leader, so called "Abubakar Shekau," is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders.

Several other terrorists were also wounded, he said.

Nigeria's Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, was reported to have said no fewer than 300 militants were killed during Friday night's airstrikes in Borno State.

He said the Air Force had carried out many successful airstrikes against Boko Haram in the last few weeks.

"We have intensified airstrikes in recent weeks and have had outstanding results," Abubakar said.

The air marshal urged the Boko Haram militants to surrender as there would be no safe haven for them.

Nigerian forces have recently carried out aggressive patrols and surveillance by land and air in Borno State and the entire northeast region where Boko Haram has been rampant since 2009.

Boko Haram, which aims to create an Islamic state, is most active in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where a state of emergency has been declared. Endi