Thirty three suspects have been arraigned over the communal war between the people of Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and their Okporojo neighbours, Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area also in the state.

The suspects were arraigned on Friday before a high court sitting in Abakaliki, the state capital on four count charge bothering on murder.

The suspects who are all indigenes of Amasiri community include Geoffrey Onya, Idam Bassey (traditional rulers) and Baron Anya, coordinator of Amasiri development center.

Others are Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemre,, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Oko Julius and Eze Uchendu, Eburu Sunday.

The suspects were accused of killing  Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama and  Eze Orji Ndukwe in Okporojo, Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area on 29th January, 2026, and action punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33 vol 1.laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.

After the four count charge was read to them, the suspects pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel, Chief Mudi Erhenede made oral application for the bail of the accused persons.

Erhenede argued that the accused persons have been in prison custody since five months and that police had made recommendations for their release.

But counsel to the government, Chinyere Anoke who held brief for the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odo, opposed the application.

She argued that the accused persons were  facing murder charges and that it was unusual for persons facing murder charges to be released.

The trial judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi adjourned the matter to 5th and 17th June to enable the counsel to the accused persons to file a written application for bail.

The people of Amasiri and Oso Edda have been at war for decades over disputed land.

The crisis escalated on 29th January, 2026 when warriors invaded Okporojo and beheaded four persons in the community including an elderly woman.

Houses and other property worth millions of naira were burnt during the invasion.

A man in his late 30s, identified simply as Akaninyene, has allegedly confessed to killing about 30 persons in Abanyama, Ukim Ita community, Creek Town in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The suspect, who reportedly lived alone in a secluded hut inside a forest, was arrested following intelligence linking him to the disappearance and murder of a recent victim in the community.

According to security sources, Akaninyene, in his confessional statement to investigators, claimed that a woman assisted him in carrying out the killings by holding down victims while he slit their throats.

He further disclosed that the latest killing, which eventually led to his arrest, allegedly took place on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

A search conducted around the suspect’s hideout reportedly uncovered several shallow graves concealed beneath plantain crops. Community sources said about eight graves were discovered, with some containing multiple headless bodies, suggesting the killings may have continued for months without detection.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly led operatives to some of the burial sites where decomposing bodies were exhumed. He also claimed that the woman worked with him by luring unsuspecting victims to the isolated location before they were killed.

The alarm was reportedly raised after residents heard cries and sounds of struggle believed to have come from the suspect’s hideout during the last attack.

The Councillor representing Creek Town Ward 1, Ene Itam, alongside the ward chairman, youths and community elders, subsequently reported the recurring cases of missing persons to the Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, Ukpong Etim Asido, who alerted security agencies.

The development shocked residents of the area, many of whom said they never suspected the suspect was allegedly behind the mysterious disappearances recorded in the community.

The Leader of the 8th Legislative Assembly in Odukpani LGA, Effiom Ekene, as well as Emmanuel of Adibo Efut Ward, were also said to have joined efforts that led to the suspect’s arrest.

Community youths have since intensified bush-combing operations in surrounding areas in search of possible accomplices and other suspected hideouts linked to the crimes.

Spokesman of the Cross River State Police Command, Superintendent Sunday Akata, confirmed the incident,

The Taraba State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed an ambush attack on residents of Kofai Amadu community, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday at about 4:00 p.m. in a busy trading hub where residents of different ethnic groups were engaged in normal commercial activities.

According to eyewitness accounts, panic erupted when gunshots were suddenly heard from a nearby bush close to the yam market area.

The unexpected shooting forced farmers returning from their farms, as well as traders and other market users, to flee for safety.

Amid the confusion, some farmers in surrounding farmlands later reported seeing armed attackers moving around a settlement located about two kilometres from the market area.

As the panic spread, the lifeless body of a young man with gunshot wounds was discovered. Community members immediately alerted security operatives, who later arrived at the scene to restore calm and begin preliminary investigations.

Residents of Kofai Amadu have called on security agencies to increase surveillance in the area and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, while awaiting further official clarification.

Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson, Victor Mshelizah, said he was briefed about an ambush on individuals who had gone to their homes in the crisis affected area to retrieve belongings.

He added that the victims were allegedly attacked by armed men described as Fulani militia, and that one person was shot and confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

He further stated that the area has since been brought under control and is currently calm.