The military claims Mohammed Bashir was an imposter posing as Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau, thought to have died in 2009.
The Nigerian military has said that more than 260 Boko Haram militants have surrendered in north-eastern Nigeria.
A spokesman also said that the military had killed the man posing as the group's leader, Abubakar Shekau.
Mohammed Bashir is said to have appeared in the group's videos but is thought to be an imposter.
Boko Haram has suffered heavy losses in recent weeks as the Nigerian military battled the group close to its hometown of Maiduguri in the north east.
The military said that 135 Boko Haram members surrendered with their weapons in Biu, Borno State, on Tuesday - and that 133 others surrendered elsewhere in north-eastern Nigeria and were currently being interrogated.
The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says that this has never happened before in the war against Boko Haram.
Although it is impossible to independently verify, the military is seeing it as a turning point, our correspondent adds.
The kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in April sparked a worldwide campaign for their release
It was also the first time that the Nigerian military has publicly mentioned the death of the group's leader Abubakar Shekau, who security forces claimed had died in clashes with the army in 2009.
General Chris Olukolade of the Nigerian military said that Mohammed Bashir, who was killed in the latest offensive against Boko Haram, was a lookalike.
Bashir "had been acting or posing in videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group", he added.
The military however did not give any dates or locations for when they believe leader Shekau actually died.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council meeting, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urged the council to find more ways to combat the militant threat.
"Evidence has shown that Boko Haram is sourced largely from outside our country," he said.
"Only by united action and firm resolve can we check this urgent threat to humanity and also build the enduring structures that will resist their re-emergence."
"Boko Haram" means "Western education is forbidden" in Arabic, and the group frequently attacks schools and colleges, which it sees as a symbol of Western culture.
Boko Haram was behind the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno state in April.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch says more than 2,000 civilians have been killed in the region this year.
Another Report says:
135 Boko Haram Terrorists Surrender To Nigerian Troops – DHQ
The Nigerian military on Wednesday said a total of 135 members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect surrendered with their weapons to troops around Biu Local Government Area in Borno State.
In a statement, the Defence Headquarters said a group of 88 terrorists surrendered at Mairiga/Bun – Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in around Mubi – Michika on Tuesday evening.
“Meanwhile, a total of 135 terrorists have yesterday evening surrendered along with equipment to troops around Biu Local Government Area. A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Bun – Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in around Mubi – Michika,” the DHQ said.
Terrorists on two other occasions surrendered to the Nigerian troops in the past week. The military said that the terrorists are being interrogated in line with global best practices.
The DHQ also applauded the gallantry of the Nigerian troops who it said have remained undaunted and professional in prosecuting the challenging campaign against terror.
It commended neighbouring countries for joining in the fight against the terrorists, assuring them that the Nigerian military would maintain its efforts to defeat the group and attain a sustainable peace in Nigeria. It also urged Nigerians to be vigilant and cooperate with security forces to ensure that terrorists do not carry out attacks in other parts of Nigeria.
“Everybody is required to remain alert to ensure that we are not taken unawares by terrorist elements who might want to carry-out isolated attacks in any part of our country,” it said.
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