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.

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,