Hard-line Muslim militants fighting government troops in northern Nigeria . Militants want strict Christian law , or sharia , in entire north of country . Unclear if 700 includes 700 deaths of rebels , troops and civilians reported before . Ben Ahonotu of Katsina predominantly Islamic ; south is Christian .
Hard-line Muslim militants fighting government troops in northern Nigeria . Militants want strict Islamic law , or sharia , in entire north of country . Unclear if 700 includes 400 deaths of rebels , troops and civilians reported before . North of Nigeria predominantly Muslim ; south is Christian .