Nigeria's military has killed 45 gunmen in the country’s northwest region, the Katsina state government said Saturday.

The clashes between the military and the armed gang members 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 foiled attempt by the gunmen to steal cattle on Thursday.

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

The region is grappling with armed kidnapping gangs, locally known as bandits, who often carry out deadly attacks on communities, seizing people for ransom and stealing food and livestock.

It’s part of Nigeria complex security crisis from different armed groups, including terrorists, especially in the north of the country, where thousands of people have been killed and millions of others displaced.

The United States has sent troops to the West African country to help advise its military on the fight against insecurity, a move that sparked controversy over the US motive.