LAGOS , Nigeria ( CNN ) -- Some 700 people have been killed in clashes with Islamic militants in Nigeria , a military commander told CNN . Bodies of hard-line Islamic rebels killed in battle lie in a Nigerian city . Civilians and troops also have died . The fighting in the northeast Nigerian town of Maiduguri began with attacks by the Muslim militants on police and government targets , starting a week ago . Col. Ben Ahonotu , commander of the operation to combat Islamic militants , gave the new total . Previous reports said at least 400 rebels , troops and civilians had died in the region , including Borno , Yobe , Kano and Katsina states . Maiduguri is in Borno state . Ahonotu did not elaborate or provide further information , and it was unclear whether the 700 was in addition to the previous death toll . Attacks on police and government targets have been reported throughout the region . Boko Haram , an Islamist sect , wants the government to impose Islamic law , known as sharia , in the entire Muslim-dominated northern half of Nigeria . Sharia is already practiced in some northern states , but the sect wants even tougher religious laws and also opposes Western education . The southern half of Nigeria is predominantly Christian . A Boko Haram leader , Mohammed Yusuf , was reported captured Thursday by the military , but was found dead after he was turned over to police . Human rights groups are seeking more information on his death , and have also expressed concern about civilian casualties .
Hard - line Muslim militants attack government troops in northern Nigeria . Militants want strict Islamic law , or sharia , in entire territory of Nigeria . Unclear if 700 includes 400 deaths of police , troops and civilians than before . North of Nigeria predominantly Muslim ; south is Christian .