ABUJA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian military killed at least 74 suspected gunmen and arrested 130 others across Africa's most populous country in the past week, an official said Friday.

Markus Kangye, spokesperson for the military, told reporters in the Nigerian capital of Abuja that the operations by land and air components took place on March 5-13 in continuation of "the constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians in line with the rules of engagement and code of conduct for internal security operations."

During the period, at least 61 hostages were freed from their captors in various operations, Kangye said, noting that the raids were "successful."

The military also recovered 71 assorted weapons and 1,202 ammunition from the suspects, while 143 suspected terrorists, including five adult males, 66 adult females, and 72 children, surrendered to troops in the theater of operation in the country's northeastern region during the period, according to Kangye. Enditem

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