At least 40 people, including seven policemen, have been killed in renewed clashes between nomadic herdsmen and farmers in northeastern Nigeria, police said today.
A police spokesman said the fighting, which broke out last Thursday in the Song district of Adamawa state, was not part of political violence in Nigeria in the run-up to national elections in April.
"We have confirmed a total of 40 people killed, including seven police officers," police spokesman Mr Chris Olakpe said. "The police were sent to quell the unrest but were killed in cold blood by the warring factions".
Analysts said the heavy police casualty toll underlined the tough task facing security forces as the oil-producing country braces for what many fear will be violent elections.