Armed men have invaded the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, killing three officers and abducting several others.

A civilian witness who works in the fortified facility as a support staff member told Peoples Gazette that the incident occurred overnight on Tuesday.

The witnesses said three soldiers were killed and several officers, including at least two majors, were abducted. The Nigerian military trains elite cadet officers in the academy.

It was not immediately clear whether or not students were abducted.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Army did not immediately return a request seeking comments.

The attack comes as Nigerian security forces are intensifying another round of onslaught across vast forests believed to be holding violent criminals in Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara, where schools have since been shut to prevent further abduction of students.

The Defence Headquarters issued a statement shortly before noon on Tuesday, confirming the incident and disclosing that a manhunt was underway for the suspects.