|
|
July 11, 2000
LAGOS, Nigeria (PANA) - At least 30 persons, including five policemen, were killed and several others injured in a weekend clash between the police and youths of Evreni community, near Warri in the oil-rich Niger-Delta area of Nigeria.
The Evreni United Front blamed the violence on the police, who allegedly invaded the community in six truckloads early Saturday, firing on the people and abducting some women.
But the state police commissioner, John Ahmadu, said the police were in the area to search for illegal arms.
"They (armed youths) ambushed us," he added. "They killed three of my boys and left over five others critically wounded. They also burnt down our vehicle."
The clash is the latest in a series of violence, which has hit the area since the traditional ruler of the community was killed by unknown assailants in January.
His death has ushered in anarchy, with rival groups killing, maiming, and kidnapping suspected opponents.
The situation led to the deployment of the police to the area, but that has failed to stem the violence.
In a separate incident Monday, two persons died during a clash between agents of the Nigerian Customs and clearing agents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in the Lagos suburb of Ikeja.
The clash between customs officers and the clearing agents started after an agent, identified as Subomi Tolani, was allegedly shot dead by the armed customs officials following an argument over some fees payable on cleared goods.
His colleagues then carried Tolani's body to the airport's customs office in protest, and the fight escalated as the customs officers barred their entry.
The angry mob later forced their way into the customs office, setting it ablaze and destroying all the cars in the compound.
It took the airport police command more than two hours to restore normalcy.
Send your thoughts to readers@africanews.org
for our Readers' Forum.Copyright © 2000 Panafrican News Agency. All Rights Reserved.
[ Daily News | Sports | Economics | Environment | Science & Health | Weekly Review ]