A government official says communal clashes in Cross River State over land ownership have killed scores of people and displaced thousands. Cross River State Emergency Management Agency Director-General John Inaku said about 150 people have been killed in the past week. He appealed for aid for the displaced. State youth council chairman Prince Ndiyo, however, said Wednesday less than 100 have been killed, mostly women and children, in fighting over claims of ownership for a piece of farmland. State police commissioner Hafiz Inuwa said peace has been restored and additional security deployed. Such fighting is common in Nigeria's south, where…

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue said on Wednesday that 1,878 lives were lost to the lingering clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state, between 2013 and 2016. Ortom, while receiving Edward Kallon, UN Resident Coordinator, who led a UN delegation on a courtesy visit to his office, said the killings cut across 12 local governments. Quoting a report from a research conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency and Benue Planning Commission, in collaboration with NGOs, he said that 750 persons were seriously wounded while 200 others were still missing. He said that 99,427 households were affected, while property…

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced inauguration of the Local Organising Committee on the National Conference for Livestock Development that would help put an end to the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in different parts of the country. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, said it would ensure that cattle roaming across the country comes to an end. He was quoted in a statement by the ministry as saying “The need to keep our cattle in secured colonies will afford us the opportunity to curtail the incessant farmers/herdsmen clashes as…

Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has approved the appointment of chairmen and members into the newly constituted Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and Hospitals Management Board (HMB). A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, conveyed the governor’s approval and directive for immediate constitution of the board. TESCOM has Mr Bashiru Ajibade as full-time chairman, while Messrs Ojo Omoyeni (Oyo), M.K. Ogunkunle, Laide Afolabi, M.R. Arinola, Ibrahim Bolomope and Mrs. Margaret Babalola will serve as part-time members. Similarly, the statement named Dr. Goke Adeyemo as full-time chairman for the HMB, while Mr Rasaq Oladele,…