Nigerian soldiers ‘kill 45 bandits’ in gun battle in Katsina

Nigeria’s military has killed 45 “bandits” after they allegedly tried to steal a herd of cattle, according to local officials.

The militant gang members were shot dead during a gun battle with troops in Danmusa, in the state of Katsina in northern Nigeria, on Friday.

An army captain and two soldiers were also killed in the fighting, officials said.

State security commissioner Nasir Mua’zu said the group initially made a failed attempt to take the animals on Thursday.

“Seeking revenge, the bandits returned in large numbers on March 6,” he said.

“What followed was an intense and fierce battle. The army successfully neutralised all 45 bandits.”

Members of the local community helped repel the initial attempted theft on Thursday before the “prolonged” battle the following day, according to Nigerian media.

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The military in the West African country has recently been struggling to maintain security amid a spate of attacks by different armed groups.

They include Islamist groups such as Lakurawa, Boko Haram and its breakaway faction known as Islamic State West Africa Province.

Several “bandit” gangs, specialising in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining, have also been blamed for attacks in the north of the country.

Last month, the violence prompted the US to send around 100 troops to Nigeria to provide advice and training to its army on tackling the threats.

In another attack on Friday, more than 300 people, including women and children, were abducted by militants from the town of Ngoshe in the country’s northeast.

Several thousand people have been killed as a result of militant violence across the country, according to the UN, with the government accused of not doing enough to protect its citizens.