MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Eight members of a political militia were killed in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri on Thursday in a fight with cutlasses and daggers over money given by politicians. It was the latest outbreak of violence to mar the run-up to elections in April that should mark the first democratic handover from one civilian government to another in Africa's most populous country. "They have to give us our share. They have been cheating us for a long time and they will pay dearly for it," said a member of the militia who gave his name as Umar, referring to rival members. He was carrying a dagger. The militia is one of many that were formed in Nigeria to further the interests of politicians before the last election in 2003. They are being reactivated ahead of April's polls. Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 after three decades of almost continuous army dictatorship, but violence remains part of the political system and the use of paid thugs by politicians is widespread. The fighting broke out in the streets of central Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Police rushed to the scene and made dozens of arrests, sending militia men running for cover. A Reuters correspondent saw at least 15 people being treated for knife wounds at the city's teaching hospital and four corpses in the morgue. The Borno State police spokesman said eight people had died in the clash. Fighting among such armed thugs killed at least nine people in southern Rivers state last week, while deaths have also been reported in central Benue state. There have also been several political assassinations.
