Clash over a fish pond in Alingani community in Lafia East Development Area, of Nasarawa State, has claimed three lives.
Ten people were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries in the crisis.
However, the state police command put the number of people who lost their lives in the clash at two.
The clash, it was learnt, was as a result of power tussle between the overseer of the Lafia East Development Area, Barrister Mohammed Haruna and the Oron Akye of Ugah, Alhaji Abdullahi Ugah.
The duo, it was gathered, appointed different ward heads to oversee Alingani and the resources therein, including the fish pond at the centre of the crisis which they laid claim to different portions.
A local who craved anonymity said following tension over the pond, the government appointed ward head, Dalhatu Mohammed Omiya sent an official communication over the development to the overseer.
He said the ward head also reported the matter to the DPO and the Nigerian Air Force 22 Quick Response Wing, stationed in Assakio, the headquarters of the development area.
He noted that the security agencies responded swiftly by allegedly warning the Oron Akye group not to have anything to do with the pond.
“After the military and police left, they went back to the pond and fished in a particular portion reserved in the custody of the ward head, Omiya, so when report got to the authority of the development area, they were summoned for a peace meeting, but the Oron Akye group allegedly refused to attend.
“On Tuesday, the ward head, Omiya, sent some persons loyal to him to go on fishing at the pond, then suddenly the rival group came and attacked them, unfortunately, two persons died in the bloody clash. Today (Wednesday) morning, another person died as a result of the injury he sustained in the attack,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the state police command’s public relations officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel said it was purely a leadership tussle and that the law will take its course.
He said the commissioner of police has already invited the leaders of both parties over the development, adding that investigation into the matter had begun.
