ABUJA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- At least three suspected terrorists were killed and a cache of arms and ammunition recovered during a military operation in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara State, the army said on Friday.

According to an army statement, troops acting on credible intelligence raided areas across three villages in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area and engaged suspected terrorists in a gunfight in Dumburum village, Zamfara State.

Three suspected terrorists were killed, while several others fled with gunshot wounds, the statement said. Weapons recovered during the operation included rifles, a machine gun, a locally made handgun and assorted ammunition.

The army said the security situation in the area remained under control following the operation, with troops maintaining dominance over the area.

In a separate operation in Plateau State in central Nigeria, troops arrested five suspected illegal arms manufacturers in Jos South Local Government Area on Thursday, according to another army statement.

The army said troops raided two suspected illegal weapon fabrication sites based on intelligence reports and recovered several locally made weapons.

Follow-up operations are ongoing to dismantle illegal arms networks in the area as part of the sustained efforts to curb illicit arms proliferation and strengthen peace and security in the country's restive central region, the statement added.