Two Boko Haram commanders were shot dead in an operation launched by a combined special security force in Mubi area of northeast Nigeria's Adamawa State, the military said on Tuesday.

Military Commander in charge of operations Lt. Col. Beyidi Martins told reporters that the Boko Haram commanders, identified as Abubakar Zakaria Ya'u and Mohammed Bama, were killed in an operation launched to contain activities of the sect and other miscreants terrorizing the state.

He said the operation was successfully carried out, following collective efforts by all security operatives in the state.

According to him, six suspects were also arrested while four escaped with injuries.

"Four Russian made AK47, 500 live ammunition and a large amount of money were recovered from the suspects," the military officer added.

Adamawa State, located in Nigeria's northeast region, has frequently witnessed attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram since 2009, when the sect launched its insurgency targeting churches, security facilities, schools and villages.

In May, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Adamawa and its geographical neighbors, Borno and Yobe.