Nigerian Army killed five militants and arrested 23 others in an operation in the country's southern region of Niger Delta, an official said on Sunday.

In a statement sent to Xinhua in Lagos, Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director of the Army Public Relations, said troops of the 133 Special Forces of the Nigerian Army also recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 11 pump action guns, 292 cartridges of live ammunition, 199 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition, and four electricity generating sets during the operation Saturday.

Over the last few months, members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have bombed numerous oil facilities belonging to international oil companies in the Niger Delta region.

The militant group has demanded more crude oil revenues for the oil-producing states, the release of militants who are being detained or incarcerated, and continued funding of the amnesty program for former militants.

The unrest in the region has forced many international firms to flee the area. The government mobilized the Nigerian army and coast guard in an anti-banditry operation.

Source : XINHUA