At least 71 youths were arrested following a misunderstanding and ensuing affray between two clans over the weekend in Rubkona County in Unity State, the acting commissioner said.

On Saturday, youths from the Changany clan confronted a young man from the Padang clan who they accused of breaching their norms and traditions after he was fraternizing with a lady from the Changany clan along the roadside.

The confrontation resulted in a melee between the youths from the two communities which left several men from both sides injured. 

Police intervened after rumors circulated about impending revenge attacks and several youths from both sides were detained. 

Acting Rubkoma County Commissioner Stephen Malek told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the local authorities managed to apprehend some suspected youths from both the Padang and Changany clans on Sunday to contain the situation from escalating. 

“This is not a big issue and it was just youths causing problems among themselves but we have managed to apprehend 41 from one clan and 30 from the other clan,” he said. “This issue is not yet clear as we have not sat down with those in our custody. The problem started when the young man was found standing with the girl and her brothers beat the man up and took his cane.”

He called for calm and said the police is investigating the matter. 

“Those who were arrested are in police detention and investigations will take place when we arrest the criminals still at large and their case will be taken to the local court,” Malek said. “The suspects are currently here in Rubkona and we deployed forces after they were arrested. I urge the communities to live in peace.”