A minor disagreement among youths in Zannari community, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, turned violent and left one person dead while two others were injured.

According to security sources who spoke to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 10:30 pm on May 28, when an argument reportedly escalated into a physical fight.

During the clash, 20-year-old Abba Alhaji Adamu was allegedly stabbed in the chest. He was taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival. Another resident, 18-year-old Muhammed Bukar Luwaye, was found unconscious at the scene with injuries and is currently receiving treatment. A third victim, Usman Muhammed, 22, also suffered head injuries during the fight. He was treated at the hospital and later discharged.

All three individuals were said to be from the same community in Mafa Local Government Area.

The deceased’s body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for an autopsy, while security agencies have begun investigations into the incident.

The Defence Headquarters says troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have neutralised several terrorists and rescued no fewer than 179 kidnapped victims between May 25 and 28.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, highlighted sustained military pressure across various theatres of operation.

Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded major breakthroughs in the North-East, including the neutralisation of terrorists in Taraba and Borno states, as well as the arrest of a suspected collaborator in Monguno.

He also said that the sustained offensives triggered fresh surrenders, with a family member of a terrorist fleeing the Kimbe enclave in Borno due to mounting pressure.

He further said that troops also repelled a massing of terrorists along the Bam-Buratai axis, neutralising five fighters, while four others were eliminated during an ambush in Yobe State.

He said that in the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma apprehended suspects linked to terrorist groups in Kebbi and Zamfara states, while also killing three terrorists in separate encounters.

He added that troops also rescued 31 kidnapped victims in Zamfara following an air interdiction by the Nigerian Air Force.

Onoja disclosed that troops under Operation Savannah Shield recorded a major humanitarian success with the release of 148 kidnapped victims, mostly women and children, in Niger State.

He also said that in Kaduna State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace foiled attacks, rescued victims, and neutralised a notorious kidnap kingpin identified as Idi Yaya.

“Similarly, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue intensified crackdowns on drug networks, recovering over 500 illicit substances and arresting suspects linked to distribution syndicates.

“In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe, in collaboration with other security agencies, carried out clearance and ambush operations in Edo State, leading to the arrest of suspects and the neutralisation of a kidnapper.

“Meanwhile, in the South-East, Operation Udo Ka troops arrested suspected IPOB/ESN kingpins in Ebonyi State and foiled an attempted abduction of farmers in Abia State,” he said.

The Defence Headquarters spokesman quoted the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, as commending the troops for their courage while reaffirming the military’s commitment to ending insecurity in the country.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain resolute in restoring peace and safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation,” he said.

He urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring them that all information would be treated with confidentiality.

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.