Communal conflicts claim 22 lives in northern Nigerian state

At least 22 people were killed following fresh communal conflicts in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kaduna in the past two days, local sources told Xinhua on Tuesday.

The violence has led to the burning of more than 50 houses across five communities in the restive southern part of Kaduna State, said Enock Andong, a local chief and head of a local residents' association.

According to Andong, hostilities resumed among the communities on Sunday when some gunmen attacked a community in Kaura district of the state. At least seven people were killed in that attack, he said.

The attack escalated on Monday and spread to four communities across Jema'a district of the state, leading to the death of at least 15 others, Andong added.

Clashes between herdsmen and locals in southern Kaduna communities have been unresolved for months, despite efforts by Nigerian authorities to make the warring parties declare a truce.

In a statement late Monday, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State said security forces were on top of the situation. The governor also said measures were being taken to forestall future attacks.

More than 200 people have been killed in the violence around southern Kaduna since late last year, according to Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency.