Lagos - At least 50 people were feared dead on Sunday in renewed ethnic fighting near the Nigerian oil town of Warri, witnesses said yesterday.
"Armed youths in several speed boats attacked Arunton village near Chevron's tank farm killing no less than 50 people," one witness said. The attack on the village, inhabited by ethnic Itsekiris and blamed on their Ijaw rivals, came on the second day in office of President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was sworn in on Saturday to end 15 years of military rule in Africa's most populous country.
A Chevron spokesman in Lagos confirmed the attack took place near its facility but said the company's operations were not affected.
"The fighting didn't extend to the tank farm at all. Our operations, including exports, have not been affected at all," the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, President Obasanjo yesterday ordered the suspension of all contracts, licences and appointments made since January 1st by the previous government, his spokesman said.