Nigeria: 25 killed in Ebonyi communal clashes

ANKARA (AA) - At least 25 people were killed and over 125 houses burned down in armed communal fighting in southeastern Nigeria, local media reported Monday.

A lingering communal conflict in the Ebonyi State between the Effium and Ezza Effium peoples turned violent, resulting into the killings, local news website This Day reported Monday, citing Ebonyi Governor David Umahi.

“Officially, we have recorded about 25 deaths. Over 26 arms were recovered from the hoodlums. About 125 houses were burnt, and fuel and gas stations damaged,” This Day quoted Umahi as saying.

“I have written to minister for humanitarian services to come to our aid, I have written to NEMA [Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency] to come to our aid,” he added.

Umahi, according to the report, blamed commissioner for local government, Samuel Okoronkwo, and his special assistant Emmanuel Igwe for the armed conflict.

The decades-old communal fighting has displaced thousands of people, including women and children, in the West African country.