Troops in Nigeria have killed seven armed bandits responsible for the unrest in the country's southern oil-rich region, an army spokesman said on Friday.

Kayode Owolabi, spokesman of the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, told reporters that the bandits were killed when they launched an attack on troops in Bakassi town, southeastern Cross River State.

"The militants tried to attack an army post. Some of them were wearing the Nigerian military camouflage," Owolabi said, adding that many arms and ammunition were also recovered from the bandits.

According to him, the bandits got orders and financial support from a militant leader known as Benjamin Ene.

Ene has been on the wanted list of the country's security agencies for several months.

Source : XINHUA