31 die in northern Nigeria sectarian violence

At least 31 people have been killed, 52 houses and 16 vehicles burnt after a disagreement over ownership of a football arena set off sectarian violence in northern Nigerian state of Taraba, officials said today.

At least 31 people have been killed, 52 houses and 16 vehicles burnt after a disagreement over ownership of a football arena set off sectarian violence in northern Nigerian state of Taraba, officials said on Sunday.

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Scores were also injured in the fracas which the state acting governor Garba Umar tried to quell by declaring a round-the-clock curfew in the Wukari city where the crisis emanated late on Saturday.

"We have arrested more than forty people so far and we are doing everything possible to bring the crisis under control," state police spokesperson TY Mohammed told PTI over phone while confirming the death toll.

Residents of Wukari were forced to flee their homes to take refuge in neighbouring towns.