The National Emergency Management Agency says eight persons have died in a communal clash between Alesi community in Ikom LGA and their neighbours, Ochon community in Obubra LGA.

South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Godwin Tepikor, made the confirmation during an on-the-spot assessment of the crisis in both communities on Saturday.

Mr Tepikor said on the sidelines of the assessment that the crisis which occurred on March 7, broke out as a result of a land dispute between the two communities.

He said that no fewer than 2,008 persons were affected and had been displaced from their ancestral homes.

“The crisis that erupted between Ochon and Alesi communities in Obubra and Ikom local government areas claimed the lives of eight persons, four were injured on both sides and over 2,008 displaced.

“Several buildings and household property were destroyed in the process. The affected persons were scattered amongst neighbouring communities within the local government areas of the state,” he said.

Officials from the Nigerian Army and members of the affected communities were also in the team during the assessment.

(NAN)