Nigeria says 70 killed in battle with Islamist group

Nigeria's military said on Tuesday it had killed 50 Islamist rebels as they tried to cross the border into Cameroon, engaging them in a battle on Monday in which 15 of their own troops and five civilians also died.

Nigerian forces have stepped up a military offensive in the volatile northeast in the past few days, after their barracks in the town of Bama came under attack from Boko Haram fighters armed with grenade launchers and anti-aircraft guns on Friday. (Reuters)