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Nigeria’s military has killed 45 “bandits” after they allegedly tried to steal a herd of livestock, according to local officials.
The militant gang member was shot dead in a firefight with soldiers in Danmusa, in the northern state of Katsina. Nigeriaon 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 retrieve the animals on Thursday.
“To take revenge, the bandits returned in large numbers on March 6,” he said.
“What followed was an intense and fierce battle. The army managed to neutralize 45 of the bandits.”
Local community members helped repel an initial theft attempt on Thursday before “prolonged” fighting the following day, according to Nigerian media.
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The military in the West African country has recently struggled to maintain security amid… a series of attacks by different armed groups.
They include Islamic groups such as Lakurawa, Boko Haram and a breakaway faction known as the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Several “bandit” gangs, specializing in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining, have also been blamed for attacks in the north of the country.
Last month, the violence prompted America to send about 100 troops to Nigeria to provide advice and training to its troops in dealing with the threat.
In another attack on Friday, more than 300 people, including women and children, kidnapped by militants from the city of Ngoshe in the north-east of the country.
According to the UN, several thousand people have been killed as a result of militant violence across the country, and the government has been accused of not doing enough to protect its citizens.
