Scores of rebels, five solders killed in Nigeria

Scores of armed rebels were killed Tuesday in a Nigerian military offensive against rebels in the country's northeastern state of Borno, a top Nigerian military officer said.

Five soldiers were also killed during the operation when rebels ambushed an army patrol, Nigerian military spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said in a statement.

"The assault on terrorists' enclaves in Sambisa forests and surrounding locations is continuing," the spokesperson said.

He added that troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force have also recovered some arms and ammunition left behind by the rebels.

The Boko Haram, a rebel group, seeks to enshrine the Islamic Sharia law in the constitution of Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and biggest oil producer in the continent.