ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's Oromia regional state on Thursday announced the arrest of regional security officers and government officials for failing to discharge their responsibilities during the recent conflicts on the outskirts of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
Negeri Lencho, head of the regional state's communication bureau, said the death toll from the latest unrest in Burayu and its environs has reached 26 as three additional people died in hospital, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reported.
Lencho did not provide the identities of the arrested officials and security personnel.
He said peace has been restored in the affected areas.
Police in Ethiopia's Oromia regional state said on Tuesday that 269 individuals were under investigation in connection with the attack on civilians and damage to property.
Authorities have seized various armaments in areas where the deadly ethnic-based attack occurred.
Video footage showing dead bodies and looted houses and properties appeared early Sunday on social media platforms.
On Monday, thousands of people took to the streets in Addis Ababa to protest the killing of civilians and property damage, urging the government to take action and protect civilians.
They also called for the provision of swift support from the government to displaced people.
During the protest, five people were shot dead amid confrontations between police and angry demonstrators.
Ethiopia Federal Police Commissioner Zeynu Jemal said there were attempts to loot property under the guise of demonstrations and that some "dangerous vagrants" also tried to snatch weapons from police officers.
The latest incidents followed recent deadly clashes in Addis Ababa between local residents and youth from surrounding areas who came to celebrate the return of a rebel leader from exile.
