Nigeria Op Takes Out Boko Haram Terrorists

Nigeria has dealt a major blow to the terrorist group Boko Haram.
    
The Defense Ministry says it recently killed hundreds of the Islamic insurgents in the country's northeast.

The operation prompted several hundred more to surrender in Nigeria and nearby Cameroon.

"Boko Haram has perpetrated more heinous, barbaric acts than any other known terrorist group," Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said.

Nigerian officials also say they killed the man who was posing as Boko Haram's leader, the man seen on video taunting the West over the capture of almost 300 Nigerian schoolgirls.

"In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group, died," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Authorities say he was a double for the group's leader, who reportedly was killed last year.