Nigerian officials say security forces have killed at least 25 Islamic militants during a battle Wednesday in the northern city of Kano.
The battle comes a day after militants attacked a Kano police station, killing 12 officers and a civilian.
Military officers say troops are pushing the militants out of an area they seized after the police station attack. Hundreds of people have fled the area to escape the fighting.
Kano residents say they believe the militants attacked the police station to avenge the killing of a hardline Islamic cleric at a Kano mosque last week.
It was not clear if the violence had any connection to Nigeria's elections.
Kano has seen several bouts of religious violence over the past few years. The state is one of 12 in northern Nigeria where the government enforces Islamic law.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.