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Detained Nigeria sect leader dies Detained Nigeria sect leader dies
(19 minutes later)
The leader of an Islamic sect blamed for days of deadly violence in Nigeria has been killed in police custody, police officials have said.The leader of an Islamic sect blamed for days of deadly violence in Nigeria has been killed in police custody, police officials have said.
Officials said Mohammed Yusuf was shot while trying to escape. They had announced his capture hours earlier.Officials said Mohammed Yusuf was shot while trying to escape. They had announced his capture hours earlier.
Mr Yusuf led Boko Haram, which wants to overthrow the government and impose a strict version of Islamic law.Mr Yusuf led Boko Haram, which wants to overthrow the government and impose a strict version of Islamic law.
Hundreds of people have died in five days of clashes between his followers and security forces.Hundreds of people have died in five days of clashes between his followers and security forces.
Mr Yusuf was held and later shot in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.Mr Yusuf was held and later shot in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.
"Mohammed Yusuf was killed by security forces in a shootout while trying to escape," the regional police assistant inspector-general, Moses Anegbode, told Nigerian television."Mohammed Yusuf was killed by security forces in a shootout while trying to escape," the regional police assistant inspector-general, Moses Anegbode, told Nigerian television.
Militants led by Mr Yusuf have been blamed for days of deadly violence
A spokesman for the state governor told the Associated Press news agency: "I saw his body at police headquarters. I believe he was shot while he was trying to escape."A spokesman for the state governor told the Associated Press news agency: "I saw his body at police headquarters. I believe he was shot while he was trying to escape."
State television showed jubilant police celebrating round his body, AFP news agency reported.State television showed jubilant police celebrating round his body, AFP news agency reported.
Troops had stormed Boko Haram's stronghold on Wednesday night, killing many of the militants and forcing others to flee.Troops had stormed Boko Haram's stronghold on Wednesday night, killing many of the militants and forcing others to flee.
Mr Yusuf was arrested earlier on Thursday, after reportedly being found hiding in a goat pen at his parents-in-law's house.Mr Yusuf was arrested earlier on Thursday, after reportedly being found hiding in a goat pen at his parents-in-law's house.
BBC News website Africa editor Joseph Winter says Nigeria's security forces have a terrible reputation for brutality and human rights groups accuse them of frequent extra-judicial killings.BBC News website Africa editor Joseph Winter says Nigeria's security forces have a terrible reputation for brutality and human rights groups accuse them of frequent extra-judicial killings.
'Gun battles''Gun battles'
The violence began on Sunday night in Bauchi state, before spreading to other towns and cities in the northeast of the west African nation.The violence began on Sunday night in Bauchi state, before spreading to other towns and cities in the northeast of the west African nation.
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Crowds of militants tried to storm government buildings and the city's police headquarters, but dozens of them were shot dead by security forces.Crowds of militants tried to storm government buildings and the city's police headquarters, but dozens of them were shot dead by security forces.
Several days of gun battles between militants and Nigerian security forces ensued, culminating in the assault on the militant's stronghold.Several days of gun battles between militants and Nigerian security forces ensued, culminating in the assault on the militant's stronghold.
It is thought more than 300 people have died in the violence - some estimates say 600, although there has been no official confirmation.It is thought more than 300 people have died in the violence - some estimates say 600, although there has been no official confirmation.
The Red Cross said about 3,500 people had fled the fighting and were being housed in their camp.The Red Cross said about 3,500 people had fled the fighting and were being housed in their camp.
Witnesses and human rights groups have accused the military of excessive violence in quelling the militants, but the army says it used a minimal amount of force.Witnesses and human rights groups have accused the military of excessive violence in quelling the militants, but the army says it used a minimal amount of force.
Police say Mr Yusuf was a 39-year-old preacher from Yobe state, who had four wives and 12 children.Police say Mr Yusuf was a 39-year-old preacher from Yobe state, who had four wives and 12 children.
They described him as a motivational character.They described him as a motivational character.
His sect, Boko Haram, is against Western education. It believes Nigeria's government is being corrupted by Western ideas and wants to see Islamic law imposed across Nigeria.His sect, Boko Haram, is against Western education. It believes Nigeria's government is being corrupted by Western ideas and wants to see Islamic law imposed across Nigeria.
Sharia law is in place across northern Nigeria, but there is no history of al-Qaeda-linked violence.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.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 violence? Send us your comments.Are you in Nigeria? Have you been affected by the violence? Send us your comments.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions