Nigerian soldiers kill three suspected kidnappers

The Nigerian army says it has shot dead three suspected kidnappers in the southern state of Edo. 

According to an army spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu, the men were part of a notorious gang that was intercepted as it set up an ambush on a major highway. 

Some of the attackers fled. 

The gang is believed to have carried out numerous kidnappings and robberies. 

Violent clashes between the Nigerian army and suspected gang members are widespread. 

In the north-western state of Zamfara, gunmen abducted six people after security forces said they killed more than 40 members of a gang in the area.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Defense Post