Nigeria - 10 Boko Haram Islamists Killed, 65 Arrested As Army Impose Curfew In Maiduguri

Nigeria's military has imposed a 24-hour curfew in parts of the north-eastern city of Maiduguri as its offensive against militants continues.

Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, has been an important base for Boko Haram Islamist militants.

A statement named 11 areas of the city which would now be under permanent curfew.

Also on Saturday, the military said 65 "terrorists" had been arrested as they tried to infiltrate Maiduguri.

It said those arrested had been "fleeing from various camps now under attack". However, there has been no independent confirmation of the claim.

A state of emergency is currently in force in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states.

"In order to sustain special operations in the face of recent Boko Haram attacks, [a] 24-hour curfew is hereby imposed in the following wards," a military statement said.

Correspondents say the neighbourhoods listed are considered strongholds of Boko Haram. The whole of Maiduguri was already subject to an overnight curfew.

Witnesses said troops were stopping lorries from entering the city.

The army said 10 suspected insurgents were killed in clashes with troops in Maiduguri on Friday and weapons were seized including rocket-propelled grenade launchers.