Nigerian soldiers killed about 30 suspected members of the Islamic sect Boko Haram, including a close associate of the group's leader.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in most unstable areas of the country, reported that its men had killed a close associate of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram. “In the battle, the notorious, one-eyed Bakaka, the field commander of Boko Haram in Damaturu and a close associate of Abubakar Shekau, was killed. At least 30 terrorists were killed'' army spokesman Lieutenant Eli Lazarus said in a statement.

Boko Haram, the Islamist extremists have been blamed for more than 1,400 deaths since 2010 as part of their insurgency in northern and central Nigeria