Hundreds of people have fled their homes in central Nigeria after three days of communal clashes. The fighting in Plateau State has left at least 25 people dead, according to unconfirmed reports. State Information Commissioner Yakubu Datti would only confirm the deaths of two policemen and a soldier during efforts to restore order. The violence was apparently triggered by a dispute over rights to take sand from a river for building.
| You read that right, they're fighting over sand |
Residents say tension has been rising recently between the pan-ethnic group and other tribes over the location of a new government building which would create jobs and bring money to the area. The trigger, though, was a dispute over who had the right to take sand from a riverbed in Namu - a right which is claimed by different ethnic groups.
| "That's our dirt, keep yur hands off!" |