Ethnic violence leaves 30 dead in central Nigeria

Violence linked to an ongoing ethnic dispute over access to land has flared up again in central Nigeria, claiming the lives of at least 30 people, a governor's spokesman said on Wednesday. No arrests have been made.

An ethnic dispute over land in central Nigeria that has repeatedly flared up in the past has led to an attack that left houses burnt and at least 30 people dead, a governor's spokesman said Wednesday.
"At least 30 people were confirmed killed," Cletus Akwaya, spokesman for the governor of Benue state, told AFP, saying herdsmen from the mainly Muslim Fulani ethnic group attacked a community of Tivs, who are mostly Christian, on Sunday and Monday.
He said no arrests had been made following the violence in the central town of Yogbo, which is near the border with neighbouring Nassarawa state.
Violence has flared numerous times in the area, with the dispute believed to be primarily over access to land. The Fulanis, who are mainly Muslim, are mostly herdsmen, while Tivs in the area tend to be Christian farmers.
Previous attempts to end the conflict have failed.
Nigeria's 160 million population includes some 250 ethnic groups and communal clashes break out regularly.(Ally Kennedy)