afrol News, 3 October - Nigerian national forces have been called in to help split up a town in south-east region, following gory clashes between two communities, which have left scores of people dead in past five months.

According state reports, a curfew has been declared for three months while hundreds of families are separated and resettled.

Reports show that other attempts to prevent people from Ezza and Ezillo communities in Ebonyi State fighting over land rights have failed.

At least 18 people have reportedly been killed over last five months in bloody on-going clashes.

"People in area are tired of fighting. They are willing to make sacrifices for peace," Ken Zegede Uhuo, Ebonyi State's information commissioner, told media.

Further media reports show that there have been intermarriages between two communities, adding that people will be separated according to their father's ethnicity.

Military has reportedly moved into dispute area and will enforce a curfew at request of Governor Martin Elechi.

Reports show that Ezza people are being relocated to a place called Eguachara, a few kilometres away from Ezillo town.

Clashes began when Ezza people moved to area in late 1950s, state authorities said.

In Nigeria, migrant communities have limited rights to land, even years after they settle in new areas.

Reports indicate that latest round of killings began in May, when an argument broke out over which community controlled a local market.

At least 10,000 people have reportedly been killed in communal clashes in Nigeria in last decade.

Media reports further show that most of clashes are prompted by politicians who use hired thugs to stir ethnic or religious tension.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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