20 die in Nigerian clashes

2003-11-07 08:06

Lagos - About 20 Nigerian youths were killed this week in clashes between rival street gangs and police in the oil city of Port Harcourt, witnesses and police said on Thursday.

Twelve people died on Sunday when fighting erupted between two rival groups at Abonnema wharf, witness Samson Banigo reoprted by telephone.

He said about eight gang members were also shot dead on Monday when police intervened to quell the fighting between the gangs.

"The members engaged the police in a shootout and at least eight of them were killed on the spot," he added.

A police spokesperson in the city said 47 people have been arrested over the incident.

"I cannot confirm the number of deaths but we have arrested 47 people and some weapons and ammunitions were recovered from them," he said.

Street gang violence occurs regularly among Nigerian youths, especially those in tertiary educational institutions.

- AFP