Nigerian military busts Boko Haram unit connected to abductions

The Nigerian military says that it has busted a terrorist intelligence cell and detained two women and a businessman for their role in the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls.

According to News 24, a Defence Ministry statement says businessman Babuji Ya'ari belonged to a vigilante group fighting Boko Haram Islamic extremists as a cover "while remaining an active terrorist".

The statement accused Ya'ari of "co-ordinating several deadly attacks" since 2011 in Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria, where the notorious Islamist terror group Boko Haram was formed.

Ya'ari's detention reportedly led to the arrests of two women, one an armourer and spy, the other a paymaster.

Meanwhile, in a fresh spate of violence, the Boko Haram on Sunday attacked four villages and a church near Chibok in north-eastern Nigeria.

At least 40 civilians and 6 insurgents were killed in a clash between the militants and vigilantes.

The assault is the latest in the series of attacks on villages near Chibok, the town where more than 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram in April.

The group has so far killed hundreds of villagers in similar attacks in the region.