Nigeria's military killed bandits in a land and air operation on a camp located north of the country where gunmen have been kidnapping and killing people, according to a statement.

Military spokesman John Enenche said the operation targeted a leader nicknamed Major and his fighters.

The military said several armed bandits were killed during the operation that begun with airstrikes before troops advanced on land to the camp located along the Abuja-Kaduna highways.

Bandits have been involved in cattle rustling, kidnapping people for ransom and killings in the northern state of Kaduna.