Boko Haram's Islamist militants have carried out a wave of bombings across Nigeria
Defence Minister Bello Mohammed's move came after a woman was
shot dead on Wednesday in clashes between soldiers and suspected
members of Boko Haram.
Rights groups have accused the army of carrying out other unlawful killings.
Fighting around Maiduguri has intensified in recent weeks, causing thousands of people to flee the area.
'Bad eggs'
Mr Mohammed said the army was "doing a very good job" in
protecting the lives and property of Nigerians in Maiduguri and
throughout Borno state.
"However, a few bad eggs amongst them sometimes overreact to
situations and create discontent amongst the civilian population thereby
dragging the name of the military to disrepute," he said in a
statement.
He has asked to army to "investigate all incidents of military misconduct against law abiding citizens".
Amnesty International has said soldiers in the Joint Task
Force (JTF) sent to Borno have been responsible for at last 23 deaths
and for burning a market.
Riots broke out on Wednesday after the killing of the woman in the northern town of Biu and a church was set on fire.
Mr Mohammed has ordered the military to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Boko Haram - which roughly translates as "Western education
is forbidden" - has carried out a wave of killings and bombings in
Nigeria in their attempt to overthrow the government and create an
Islamic state.
But correspondents say the military's response has meant many
residents of Maiduguri are now more scared of the army than they are of
Boko Haram.
Last month, Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima admitted that the army had been guilty of excesses in Maiduguri.
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