Amnesty International alleges unlawful killings in Nigeria

Human Rights watchdog, Amnesty International has said Nigerian soldiers in the Joint Task Force (JTF) sent to Borno State, North-East Nigeria have been responsible for at last 23 deaths and for burning a market.

A woman was shot dead on Wednesday in clashes between soldiers and suspected members of Boko Haram in the northern town of Biu in the state and a church was set on fire.

According to newspaper reports she was holding her young child at the time she was shot and killed.

Authorities in Nigeria have upped military presence in the north-east as the government tries to force an end to the Islamist group Boko Haram's armed uprising.

Boko Haram - which roughly translates as "Western education is forbidden" - has carried out a wave of killings and bombings in Nigeria in their attempt to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.

Sources say Nigeria army's conduct has alienated the local community. Many residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital are now said to be more scared of the army than they are of Boko Haram.

Last month, Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima admitted that the army had been guilty of excesses in Maiduguri.


Timeline of Boko Haram's Terror

2002: Founded
2009: Hundreds killed when Maiduguri police stations stormed
2009: Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf captured by army, handed to police, later found dead
Sept: 2010: Freed hundreds of prisoners from Maiduguri jail
December 2010: Bombed Jos, killing 80 people and blamed for New Year's Eve attack on Abuja barracks
2010-2011: Dozens killed in Maiduguri shootings
May 2011: Bombed several states after president's inauguration
June 2011: Police HQ bombed
June 2011: 25 people killed in attack on bar
July 2011: Motorbikes banned in Maiduguri to prevent drive-by shootings
July 2011: Thousands of residents flee Maiduguri after a series of attacks