Nigeria airstrikes kill at least 78 gunmen

The Nigerian military says it has killed at least 78 gunmen belonging to what it calls criminal gangs during an aerial bombardment of their hideouts in the north-west of the country.

Many fighters were killed as they tried to escape the airstrikes on motorbikes, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said

In recent weeks the Nigerian security forces have intensified operations against armed militants.

The militants have abducted more than 1,000 students from schools and colleges since last December. About 300 of the schoolchildren are still in captivity.