The Nigerian Army on Saturday said it had arrested more than 50 militants suspected of involvement in a string of recent kidnappings of oil workers.
"The gang leader and over 50 of his members" were rounded up after special military forces raided a camp in oil-rich rivers state in southern Nigeria, spokesman for the special taskforce Timothy Antigha told AFP.
He said the gang was responsible for the kidnapping of 19 oil workers, including several foreigners, in recent weeks.
"They were the group that abducted the Exxon mobil workers and the Afren group workers and were responsible for other previous kidnappings and robberies in the past," said Mr Antigha.