The Nigerian Army on Wednesday confirmed the loss of several lives and property in a communal clash in Ukhuorumi in the Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
Captain Roslyn Managbe, a public relations officer of the Nigerian Army, confirmed the incident.
"We have yet to make any arrests. We arrived at the location after the damage had been done. We are on the ground to forestall any further crisis and to bring peace back to the community," she said.
Witnesses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the clash was between members of Ukhorumi Community Development Association (CDA) loyal to two rival leaders of the association.
"As we speak, the community is deserted by the people for fear of possible reprisal attacks, as many cars and buildings were burnt by the combatants yesterday," one of the witnesses said.
They said that trouble started when some CDA members, who were loyal to the association's vice chairman, allegedly tried to wrest power from the incumbent chairman.
"The reaction that followed was spontaneous as gunshots went off.
"Several cars and houses, belonging to members of the two opposing factions, were torched in the ensuing fight and no less than 10 persons reportedly died in the fracas," another witness told NAN.
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