Nigerian security forces have stormed a mosque where militants from an Islamic sect blamed for days of deadly violence have been hiding out. Reports say scores of fighters were killed in the assault, which came after a third night of gun battles in the northern city of Maiduguri. Many of the militants have now fled, attacking police stations on their way. The group, known as Boko Haram, wants to overthrow the government and impose a strict version of Islamic law.
Reports from the city on Thursday said the fighting had stopped and the streets were quiet. The assault by the security forces came after 1,000 extra soldiers were drafted into the city. Army commander Major General Saleh Maina told the Associated Press that the deputy leader of the sect was killed in the bombardment. But he said Mohammed Yusuf, leader of the group also known as "Taliban", escaped along with about 300 followers.
An AP reporter who watched the storming of the mosque on Wednesday night and counted about 50 bodies inside the building and another 50 in the courtyard.