Nigeria says its military has killed the second-in-command of the violent Islamist sect Boko Haram that is responsible for the deaths of thousands in the last three years.

Momodu Bama was “a specialist in manning the anti-aircraft guns of the group, he is known to be vicious and heartless with a penchant for personally slaughtering and executing his victims," according to the Nigerian Defense Ministry.

Soldiers tracked him down on 4 August in Borno state, in the violent northern half of the country where Boko Haram wants to institute its particular brand of Sharia law.

Gunmen suspected of belonging to Boko Haram (whose name means, “western education is forbidden”) killed at least 44 people and wounded 36 after an attack during early Sunday prayers at a mosque in northeast Borno state.

Boko Haram's main targets are security forces or government officials but it has carried out several attacks on Christian and Muslim worshippers, as well as schools and markets.