Three police officers were killed and two others wounded when suspected armed gang members ambushed a routine patrol in northwest Nigeria's Katsina state on Tuesday, the police said on Wednesday.

The attack adds to recent incidents, including mass kidnappings by armed gangs operating from forest hideouts.

Katsina police spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu said the officers came under heavy fire at about 11:44 GMT along the Guga-Bakori road while on patrol.

The team "responded bravely,” repelling the assault, but lost three officers in the shootout, Aliyu said in a statement.

Two wounded officers are being treated at a nearby hospital, he said.