Nigeria ethnic clashes leave 50 dead

At least 50 people, including women and children have been killed during violent clashes between ethnic groups in southeastern Nigeria. Clashes broke out in the state of Ebonyi when a group from the Ezza community in Ishielu district attacked people in the neighboring Ezilo over a land dispute. Dozens of riot police were deployed to the area after homes and other property including a mill were set on fire in Ezilo. The two communities have been struggling over the issue of property for years. Earlier, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in areas of the country hit by deadly attack against Christians on Christmas Day. Some 49 people were killed in the attacks carried out by Boko Haram militants. The developments follow days of violent clashes between Nigerian troops and Boko Haram militants in Damaturu city which claimed the lives of least 60 people. Nigeria, home to more than 200 ethnic groups has an almost equal Christian-Muslim population. According to the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, ethnic and religious conflicts in Nigeria claimed the lives of over 14,000 people between 1999 and 2009.