Boko Haram members surrender after military kills alleged chief

More than 260 Boko Haram fighters have surrendered in north-eastern Nigeria after the military killed the alleged chief of the Islamist terror group.

The Nigerian military claims that Mohammed Bashir was an imposter, who was posing as Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau, thought to have died in 2009, the BBC reports.

At least 135 Boko Haram militants surrendered with their weapons in Biu, Borno State, on Tuesday while 133 others surrendered in other parts of north-eastern Nigeria and are currently facing interrogation.

Earlier, reports emerged that the Nigerian government and the Boko Haram were on the verge of finalizing a deal on freeing 219 schoolgirls who were kidnapped by the group five months back.

According to News 24, the reports said government and Boko Haram representatives had held secret talks sponsored by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

As per the deal, the girls will be released in exchange for 18 Boko Haram commanders who are lodged in various prisons across the country.

The girls were kidnapped from their school's dormitory in the town of Chibok, in north-eastern Borno State, on 14 April.