A dispute over a fish pond in Nigerian north-eastern state of Taraba had led to the death of 25 people, police have said.
Police officers have now been deployed to the riverine area where the dispute took place between some ethnic groups.
The Shomo and Jole ethnic communities have been fighting for years with each claiming ownership of the fishing pond in Lau area.
Taraba State’s police spokesperson, David Misal said Sunday’s violence following the dispute over the fish pond did not only lead to deaths but injuries and destruction of properties.
According to eyewitness account some 100 homes were burnt down in the dispute in an area residents rely on small-scale fishing activities.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Azare, has stationed patrol teams on ground already and the situation has been brought under control,” Misal said.
Fishing in the community was banned by the government in the disputed ponds for a period of 10 years.
The ban was lifted in 1999 and soon after the conflict between the two communities resumed.
Source: Africafeeds.com
