Feud over ownership of a fish pond has claimed the lives of 11 persons in Onyukumi community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi state over the weekend.
Two communities, Adogu and Ogodo, have been laying claims to ownership of the pond. It has been a subject of serious argument that degenerated into security threats over time.
It was gathered that about three years ago, the two communities resolved to keep away from the pond in a truce.
The agreement was said to have been honoured by both parties until recently.
The current crisis was said to have been triggered by the decision of youths from one of the communities to visit the disputed pond on inspection.
Unknown to them, their rival got hint of the plan and laid an ambush.
The situation degenerated into a skirmish in which dangerous weapons were freely used. Many people were killed and several others wounded in the clash.
When contacted. the Kogi state police command’s public relations officer, DSP William Ayah said his office was yet to be briefed by the DPO at Ajaokuta police station.
However, the member representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, Lawal Muhammadu Idirisu has condemned the attendant loss of lives in the dispute in strong terms.
He described the clashes as devastating, childish and crude.
Lawal noted that the two communities are involved in inter marriages and have been living together in peace as one family.
“I appeal to the people not to take laws into their hands. It is regrettable that a disagreement over fish pond would lead to loss of innocent lives. It’s very painful,” he said in a statement.
According to him, steps are being taking to forestall feature occurrence, adding that he has opened up discussions with the factions to ensure that the issues are permanently resolved.
He called on the security agents to ensure that perpetuators of the heinous crime are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others who may have such motives.
The lawmaker appealed to the warring groups to embrace peace.
