Nigeria army kills 11 Boko Haram Islamists.

BBC - The Nigerian military has shot dead 11 members of Islamist militant group Boko Haram in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, a spokesman said.

They died during a shootout in the capital of Borno state, he said.

But Boko Haram said its members had been picked from their homes by the army's joint task force and killed.

Last week, at least 185 people were killed in a series of bomb attacks in Kano, another northern city. Boko Haram said it carried them out.

Most of the victims were civilians.

The group - whose name means "Western education if forbidden" - has warned that it will continue its insurgency until Sharia law is observed throughout Nigeria.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has called for open dialogue with the group to end the fighting.

However, a recent audio recording, which appears to be from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, cast doubt over the prospect of talks.