A Nigerian Christian group on Monday disputed an assertion by the army that it had rescued 31 people who were abducted by armed men in Kaduna.

At least 80 congregants earlier believed to have been abducted by gunmen from three churches in Nigeria have returned home, police said.

Nigerian troops have rescued 62 hostages and killed two militants in separate operations across Kebbi and Zamfara states, the army said.

An Anglican priest kidnapped in northwest Nigeria last month has been killed in captivity, the head of the Church of Nigeria said.

Armed men on motorbikes killed 11 people and kidnapped at least 70 others, in a village in north-west Nigeria, witnesses said.

Gunmen kidnapped more than 50 women and children in a raid on Kakin Dawa village in Nigeria's Zamfara state, police and residents said.