By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
Nigerian authorities confirmed on Monday that at least 45 people had been killed in ethnic clashes on Sunday in the northeastern Taraba State, although locals say the death toll is higher.
"Reports available to us indicate that 45 people were killed in the incident, while several others were injured," Benue Police Chief Hyacinth Dagala told The Anadolu Agency by phone.
Residents of Egba village in the Agatu local government area said that armed Fulani herdsmen who invaded the village early Sunday had met resistance from local youths and hunters.
The attack appeared to be a reprisal for last weekend's killing of a Fulani herdsman, allegedly by Egba farmers.
"We visited the village yesterday to restore peace," Dagala said, adding that an investigation had since been launched into the "unfortunate incident."
"No arrests have been made," the police chief added.
John Ngbede, a local official of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), said that over 70 people had been killed in the attack.
"Yesterday, we evacuated 60 bodies; more have been recovered since then," he told AA by phone.
Taraba, like Plateau and Nasarawa states in central Nigeria, is prone to ethnic violence, usually over land and grazing rights.
A bill is currently awaiting parliamentary approval that would establish dedicated grazing zones for herdsmen.
