Suspected Boko Haram militants were killed after soldiers stormed their camp in Borno State.

About 50 Islamist militants were killed last weekend in north-eastern Nigeria after the military raided Boko Haram camps, BBC quoted Army Spokesman, Lt Col. Sagir Musa, as saying. He said ground troops, with the backing of air firepower, pursued and killed gunmen who attacked two towns in Borno State on September 4 and 5, 2013 in which 20 people reportedly died.

The operation began on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 after gunmen attacked Gajiram, about 75 km north of the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, when it was crowded with traders for market day. Buildings were burnt and 15 traders killed, said residents who fled to Maiduguri. Five other people were killed by gunmen early the following day in Bulabilin Ngaura, a small town about 35 km south-east of Maiduguri.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejerika, on Friday, September 6, 2013 commended members of the Borno Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG) for supporting the army in tracking down Boko Haram sect members fleeing Borno State. The Guardian newspaper quoted him as saying the youth have since July arrested over 160 terror suspects in Maiduguri, Bama and Damboa, 87 km of Maiduguri.

Meanwhile, vigilante group members and troops on September 6, 2013 arrested eight terror suspects in Bulunkutu and Gomari wards of Maiduguri metropolis, recovering arms and ammunition from two of the suspects. Sources said the suspects were informants for Boko Haram who reportedly sneaked into Maiduguri to gather information on the activities of soldiers and vigilantes.

Last month, the army said it killed Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, but this has not been confirmed. Since a state of emergency was declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States last May, the military has encouraged the formation of vigilante groups to help tackle militants.