At least 45 “bandits” were killed in a clash with Nigerian troops in ‌the Danmusa area of Katsina state in northern Nigeria, according to a statement from the Katsina State Government on ⁠Saturday.

The violence followed an attack by armed gangs of men from neighboring Zamfara state who rode into Alhazawa village in Musawa on March 5 and attempted to steal cattle, the statement ‌said.

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The ⁠attackers returned the following day and encountered troops stationed at the army’s Forward Operating Base in ⁠Dan Ali near Maidabino ward, leading to a clash in which the ⁠army killed 45 of the attackers, the statement said.

A captain ⁠and two soldiers died in the encounter, the statement added.