Gunmen ambushed Nigerian soldiers on a highway in the northwest of the country, killing at least 11 soldiers, local government and health sources said on Wednesday.

One civilian and one police officer were also killed in the armed attack, Ibrahim Ngaski, secretary of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria's Kebbi chapter, said. Nigerian media reported similar tolls.

"Suspected Lakurawa have ambushed security personnel along a highway," he told AFP. Lakurawa is a terrorist group, largely operating in the Nigeria-Niger border.

Visiting victims at a local hospital, Governor Nasir Idris confirmed the attack, without giving a death toll, telling journalists "it is a very unfortunate situation."

Police 'acknowledge' reports of the deadly attack

The Kebbi state police command said it "acknowledges reports of the incident at Giron Masa village in Shanga local government area" but referred AFP to the military for further details.

A military spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.