Nigerian military kills 5 suspected Islamic extremists near northern city of Kano

KANO, Nigeria – The Nigerian military says two soldiers and five suspected Islamic extremists were killed in shootouts early Saturday morning on the outskirts of Kano, a northern city that has been relatively peaceful in recent months.

Army Captain Ikedichi Iweha, spokesman for the security forces' combined Joint Task Force, said the suspects were planning simultaneous suicide attacks in the Nigerian capital Abuja and Kano, the country's second largest city.

In an email sent to reporters, Iweha said "intelligence available indicates that the terrorists were in the process of finalizing plans." He said security forces also confiscated nearly 50 AK-47 rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Iweha said security is being tightened in Kano, amid fears that insurgents are fleeing to the city from the three northeastern states currently under emergency rule.