The Benue State Government has ordered two communities in the Guma Local Government Area in the state to steer clear of the disputed River Antse.
The Unyande and Kwenev communities have been at war over ownership of the river, a conflict that has claimed many lives for the past 30 years.
Governor Hyacinth Alia gave the order on Sunday according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Security (Internal Affairs), Joseph Har.
Mr Har said the state government had ordered the two communities to keep off the disputed river following an intelligence report of possible escalation of tensions in the area.
He said the report indicated that the conflict could escalate into a full-blown communal crisis, adding that the decision was to prevent such an occurrence.
He explained that the Iyharev people of Unyande and Ngongov of Kwenev are fighting over ownership of River Antse.
