NIGERIA’S military has killed 45 armed militants in the country’s north-west region, the Katsina state government said Saturday.

The clashes between happened on Friday in the Danmusa area of Katsina, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Nasir Mua’zu said in a statement. It followed a failed attempt by the gunmen to steal cattle on Thursday.

“Seeking revenge, the bandits returned in large numbers on March 6,” Mr Mua’zu said. “What followed was an intense and fierce battle. The army successfully neutralised all 45 bandits.”

Nigeria is battling a complex security crisis from different armed groups, especially in the north of the country. Among the most prominent Islamist militant groups are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, which is affiliated with the Islamic State group and known as Islamic State West Africa Province.

There is also the Isis-linked Lakurawa, as well as other “bandit” groups that specialise in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.

The crisis has worsened recently to include other militants from the neighbouring Sahel region, including the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year.

The United States has sent troops to the west African nation to train and reinforce its army.