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Recce group deployed in troubled riverine community

    ABIDJAN

    A Nigerian army reconnaissance group has been sent to a troubled riverine community in Ondo State, where fighting flared up last week between people of the Ilaje and Ijaw ethinc groups, AFP reported.

    A spokesman for the 2nd Mechanised Division in Ibadan, Major Ayo Olaniyan, told AFP on Monday that the divisional commander, Major General Ekpo Artchibong, had moved to the Ondo state capital, Akure, to direct operations.

    Clashes between Ijaws and Ilaje resumed on Thursday despite an agreement from community leaders that fighting should stop, AFP said.

    The conflict first erupted in September 1998 over control of land, after rumours that Western oil companies had shown interest in the area.

    Ownership of oil land often leads to substantial financial compensation to local communities.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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