Four gunmen were killed Saturday by security operatives in a crackdown on criminals in northern Nigeria, police said.

Police Commissioner of Nasarawa State Abayomi Akeremale told reporters here that the gunmen had terrorized travelers on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga road before shot dead in an exchange of fire with the police on duty.

"The police overpowered the hoodlums and killed them in a tough battle," he said, adding the operation was based on information about constant attacks sent to police by local citizens.

He said the gang had seven members, of whom one was arrested in the raid by police and three others escaped.

Necessary machinery has been set in motion to arrest the other gang members, Akeremale said. "The suspect has provided useful information about the whereabouts of the others," he added.

More security operatives have been deployed to check crime and assure road travelers of safety, the police commissioner pledged.

Appealing to citizens for more information, the top cop said they have ordered a 24-hour patrol. "There will be no hiding place for criminals in the state henceforth," he said.