Tragedy struck again in Effium Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Friday as Ezza Effium people reportedly clashed with Amuda Effium people.

No fewer than 17 people were reportedly killed during the clash.

Although the police command in the state confirmed the attack, it denied the casualty figure.

It was gathered that many people have been hospitalised in various hospitals at Effium and Ngbo while the 17 people who allegedly died during the attack were buried on Saturday.

UGAMATV reports that there have been incessant clashes in Effium Community between the Effium people and the Ezza Effium people believed to be settlers, resulting in loss of lives.

A villager who gave his name as Barnabas said his mother was among those that escaped death with gunshot wounds and that the woman has been hospitalised.

Barnabas therefore called on the Ebonyi State Government as well as the Federal Government to come to the rescue of his people.

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As I speak with you, my mother was shot in the hand and is now receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ngbo,” he said.

When contacted on the telephone, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident but said nobody was reported to the police to have died.

She said however that she heard that there was the usual restiveness in the area and that the situation was brought under control.

“They never reported one person not to talk of 17 people killed.  We only heard that there was restiveness in the area and that the situation has been brought under control.

“They reported back under two hours that the situation has been brought under control,” Odah said.