ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's military says it arrested more than 150 people and killed 36 others in a campaign across the nation's northeast to disrupt a radical sect.

The military swept through towns in Adamawa and Yobe states over the past few days and ordered civilians to stay indoors. The soldiers focused on apprehending members of Boko Haram, the Islamist extremist sect responsible for a series of bombings and gun attacks in the region. The military said Monday two soldiers were wounded in the operations.

It is unclear how effective the operation will prove against the sect, which carries out guerrilla tactics. Nigerian security agencies routinely make mass arrests, but often do not catch the extremists.

An Associated Press count shows Boko Haram is responsible for more than 690 killings this year.
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AP