At least 40 people were killed in another attack in Niger when a group of armed assailants ravaged several villages in the Tahoua region near the border with Mali, the government said on Monday.

A government spokesperson, Abdoulraman Zakaria, said soldiers were sent to the region and fought the attackers.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Numerous armed groups are active in Niger and neighbouring Sahel countries. 

Some have sworn allegiance to the Islamic State, and others linked to al-Qaeda.

The government has little control over the desert areas outside the cities exploited by jihadist groups and criminal networks such as smugglers.

In the Mali border region, there have been recurring attacks.

On March 16, at least 58 people were killed in an attack on market traders in the region of Tillaberi, the government said.

Niger has also seen demonstrations after the recent presidential election.

At the end of February, the electoral commission declared former foreign minister Mohamed Bazoum, a close ally of outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou, the winner with almost 56 per cent of the vote.

Former president and opposition candidate Mahamane Ousmane slammed the result as fraudulent and claimed he won the election.

The Constitutional Court on Sunday confirmed Mr Bazoum’s victory.