Niamey, March 22 (TIWN) At least 40 people were killed when a group of armed assailants attacked several villages in Niger's Tahoua region near the border with Mali, a government spokesperson said on Monday.

It was not known who was behind the attack.

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

Some have sworn allegiance to the Islamic State terror group, while others are linked to Al Qaeda.

In the Mali border region there have been recurring attacks.

A week ago, at least 58 people were killed in an attack on market traders in the region of Tillaberi, the government said.