7 September 2010 Last updated at 05:58 ET

Nigeria army in Maiduguri after 'Boko Haram attacks'

The violence began when Boko Haram supporters attacked a police station last year

The army is conducting joint patrols with the police in Nigeria's northern city of Maiduguri after a wave of killings blamed on the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

The police have also banned riding motorcycles at night as several of the shootings were carried out by people on motorbikes.

Twelve people, including seven policemen, have died in the past month.

Clashes between Boko Haram and the police in July 2009 left hundreds dead.

The most recent shooting happened on Sunday, leaving two people dead, including a police officer.

Motorbikes are now banned from the city between 1800 and 0700.

"This is only the beginning," said Borno state police commissioner Ibrahim Abdu.

"If this strategy doesn't work, we will call for a total ban on motorcycles in the state," he said, reports the AFP news agency.

The violence started last year when Boko Haram members attacked a police station in Maiduguri before clashes spread to neighbouring areas.

Most of those who died were supporters of the sect, which is also known locally as the Taliban and wants to see Islamic law imposed across Nigeria.

It is opposed to Western education and accuses Nigeria's government of being corrupted by Western ideas.

The sect's leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was among those killed, apparently after he was handed over alive to the police.