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Nigerian sect leader 'captured' Nigerian sect leader 'captured'
(30 minutes later)
The leader of the Nigerian Islamist sect which has been battling security forces in the north-east of the country has been captured, say police.The leader of the Nigerian Islamist sect which has been battling security forces in the north-east of the country has been captured, say police.
Mohammed Yusuf had fled the northern city of Maiduguri during the recent fighting between his followers and the Nigerian military.Mohammed Yusuf had fled the northern city of Maiduguri during the recent fighting between his followers and the Nigerian military.
Scores of people are believed to have died in the unrest.Scores of people are believed to have died in the unrest.
The group, known as Boko Haram, wants to overthrow the government and impose a strict version of Islamic law.The group, known as Boko Haram, wants to overthrow the government and impose a strict version of Islamic law.
The group's leader, Mohammed Yusuf, is thought to have escaped the assault on his stronghold along with several hundred of his followers. Troops stormed the sect's stronghold overnight, killing many of the militants and forcing others to flee.
Their leader, Mr Yusuf, is thought to have escaped the assault on his stronghold along with several hundred of his followers.
"Mohammed Yusuf has been arrested. He is now at the Giwa barracks," said police commissioner Christopher Dega, referring to the military base in Maiduguri."Mohammed Yusuf has been arrested. He is now at the Giwa barracks," said police commissioner Christopher Dega, referring to the military base in Maiduguri.
A BBC reporter in Maiduguri said Mohammed Yusuf had been paraded before journalists with no apparent sign of injury. A BBC reporter in Maiduguri said Mr Yusuf, believed to be a 39-year-old preacher from Yobe state, had been paraded before journalists with no apparent sign of injury.
He was reported to have been found hiding in a goat pen at his parents-in-law's house.He was reported to have been found hiding in a goat pen at his parents-in-law's house.
Hundreds fled
Thousands of people are thought to have fled the fighting in Maiduguri
The fighting began on Sunday night in Bauchi state and spread to Maiduguri the next night.
Crowds of militants tried to storm government buildings and the city's police headquarters, but dozens of them were shot dead by security forces.
Over the next few nights gun battles raged between the militants and police and army, culminating in the assault on the militant's stronghold on Wednesday night.
Witnesses described seeing about 100 bodies strewn around the complex, and said a mosque used by the militants had been shelled into the ground.
It is thought more than 300 people have died in the violence - some estimates say 600, although there has been no official confirmation.
Witnesses said the city was calm on Thursday evening.
Sharia law is in place across northern Nigeria, but there is no history of al-Qaeda-linked violence.
The country's 150 million people are split almost equally between Muslims in the north and Christians in the south.


Are you in Nigeria? Have you been affected by the clashes? Send us your comments.Are you in Nigeria? Have you been affected by the clashes? Send us your comments.
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