15 killed in radical sect shootout in Nigeria

At least 15 people, including a local police chief, have been killed in a shoot-out between security forces and members of a radical Islamist sect in north-eastern Nigeria, authorities have said.

Army spokesman Lieutenant Eli Lazarus said the attack began late on Sunday night and went on for hours after suspected sect members bombed a local police station and attacked a bank branch.

Lt Lazarus said the dead included a police chief and 15 suspected Boko Haram members.
More than 770 people have been killed in Boko Haram attacks so far this year, according to an Associated Press count, making 2012 the worst year of violence attributed to the group.