LAGOS (AFP) - Many people were killed and several injured in clashes between licenced miners and
villagers in southwestern Nigerian state of Oyo, police and government spokesmen said Thursday.
Trouble started on Wednesday at Komu in the Itesiwaju local government area of the state when villagers
stormed the mining site and tried to dislodge the miners, deputy police spokesman Remi Oladele told AFP.
"Reports reaching us indicate that many villagers lost their lives during the confrontation, but we still don't
have full details on the incident", he said.
He said the locals used machetes, knives and old hunting rifles during the clashes with the miners.
A government spokesman said villagers, who have been pressing for government approval to mine
precious stones in the area themselves, tried to stop the licensed miners.
"The move led to a fracas which left many people dead and several others wounded," he said adding that
some villagers are engaged in mining activities in the area without government approval.
Press reports said no fewer than 50 people were feared dead and several others wounded in the violence
before it was brought under control by the anti-riot police.
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