Lagos, Nigeria - Unidentified gunmen have shot dead an operative of the Nigeria secret police in Damaturu, capital of Yobe state in northern Nigeria, the police confirmed Monday

State Police Commissioner Lawal Tanko said the State Security Service (SSS) operative was shot in front of his residence on Sunday evening.

The victim, who was not identified by name, was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

No group has claimed responsibility for the killing, but it bore the hallmarks of the Islamic sect Boko Haram, which has been carrying out attacks in the town and its environs in recent times.

Boko Haram has targetted security officials in its attacks, launched in July 2009 following the extra-judicial killing of the sect's leader, Mohammed Yusuf, by the police.

According to Human Rights Watch, Boko Haram has since killed over 935 people, most of them in the predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria.

Pana 06/02/2012