More than 61 people have been killed in the past days in the clash between the Nigerian army and the militant sect Boko Haram in the West African country's northeastern region, the military said on Saturday.

The Nigerian army told reporters in the capital Abuja that it had destroyed a major stronghold of the Boko Haram sect in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, killing about 50 of its members after a fierce battle.

Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, the chief of army staff, announced this in reply to questions from newsmen at the Headquarters of the Brigade of Guards.

"It might interest you to note that last night there was a major encounter with Boko Haram at Damaturu," he said.

"In the encounter, the army lost three soldiers, and seven others were wounded as in the early morning on Friday and by this afternoon, Boko Haram would have lost about 50 men and the arsenal they used would have been destroyed," he added.

Ihejirika said the army had earlier been informed that the sect planned to cause mayhem during this period. "In response, the Army has put some structures in place and the Quick Response Groups are already out in the field," he said, adding that the army had learnt some lessons from the challenges facing it.

The army chief said the army would build on its experiences in 2011 to face the challenges of 2012.

"We are facing challenges of new phenomenon of terrorism, and it is good the force is able to put up structures to address them, " he told reporters.