ABUJA: Troops in Nigeria's northwest region have killed more than 62 bandits in various operations In the last three weeks, the military said.

A military spokesman, Bernard Onyeuko, informed reporters in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, on Thursday that at least 100 others were arrested by the troops throughout the period.  At least 179 abducted victims were also rescued by the soldiers, according to Onyeuko, who said the operations in Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna have continued to be successful. He went on to say that one of the successful operations took place on April 10 in the Tsafe local government area of Zamfara, where the army freed 50 abductees, including 18 children and 32 women.

During the period of intense operations in Nigeria's northwestern region, 592 rustled cattle were also recovered, he said, adding that the military was working on measures to cease the persistent attacks in that section of the continent's most populous country.

Armed attacks have been a major security danger in Nigeria's northern and central areas in recent months, resulting in deaths and kidnappings.

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