Nigeria kidnap gang leader killed

The alleged leader of several notorious kidnapping gangs in Nigeria's Abia state has been killed.



According to the spokesman for the army in Nigeria Sagir Musa a joint military task force had shot dead Obioma Nwankwo in a gun battle.



Nwankwo had been wanted for some months after an increase in kidnappings and robberies in the area.



Correspondents say people began celebrating in the main town of Aba when they heard news of his death.



Hostage-taking has become so bad in the south-eastern state that many middle-class Nigerians travel with armed escorts.



Hostages tend to be released unharmed after a ransom is paid.