But analysts say those tactics are no different from the steps Nigerian officials have consistently used during the country's now nine-year conflict with Boko Haram.
The assault marks a significant escalation in the long-running insurgency Nigeria faces in its predominantly Muslim north, with Boko Haram extremists mounting a coordinated assault on soldiers using military-grade weaponry.
The ambush came after 55 people were reportedly killed in the north-east of Nigeria in co-ordinated attacks by the Boko Haram Islamist militant group.
French officials immediately pointed the finger at the Nigerian group Boko Haram, which has waged a three-year terror campaign against Christians in northern Nigeria as well as attacking police stations and more moderate Muslims in authority.
The government is said to be working with counter-terrorism experts from several countries - including the US and UK - in an attempt to neutralise the threat posed by Boko Haram and Ansaru, amid fears that they could worsen instability across West and central Africa.
The military statement said Mr Zangina was leader of Boko Haram in the "North Central part of Nigeria and co-ordinator of most of the suicide attacks and bombings in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Jos and Potiskum".
No-one has admitted the abductions but the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, has staged a series of attacks in northern Nigeria.
BBC: Nigeria foreign workers abducted in Bauchi state - police
Some analysts believe it split from Boko Haram, because it was opposed to the increasing number of Nigerian civilians - both Muslims and Christians - killed in bombings.
One is that President Goodluck Jonathan has no business playing the regional sergeant-major when he has not been able to subdue the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, which is killing people almost at will all over northern Nigeria.
Nigerian troops killed at least 30 people when they opened fire and burned buildings in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, which has been under attack by a militant Islamist group, Boko Haram.
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