A Nigerian cult has carried out a deadly ambush in the Northern part of the country.

Gunmen from a  cult have ambushed a group of police officers in central Nigeria, killing 23 of them and then setting fire to their bodies, the state's police chief has said.

The police said on Thursday that the attack was an ambush in Nassarawa state and the suspects belonged to an armed  group called Ombatse.

"The Ombatse gunmen opened fire on our men, killing 23 and burning them," Nassarawa state police Chief Abayomi said that 17 officers remain missing.

Ombatse, which means "time has come" in Eggon, has described itself as a movement committed to purging society of certain vices, including alcohol and adultery.

The police chief said the security forces had tried to arrest some Ombatse leaders following allegations of forced conversions in the village of Elakyo, not far from the state capital Lafia.