At least 18 people have been killed in clashes between rival communities in Nigeria’s northwestern Niger state, according to police, though local residents say the death toll is much higher.

The violence began after armed men killed a member of the Fulani community, prompting retaliatory attacks against members of the Kamuku community.

A local lawmaker said tensions escalated following the distribution of cash to constituents by politicians.

Residents reported that dozens of people have been killed and hundreds have fled their homes because of the violence, Reuters has reported.

The clashes highlight the recurring communal conflicts in northern Nigeria, where disputes over land, grazing routes, and resources frequently turn deadly.