The Edo State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged killing of a young man and the burning of four houses in the state.

DAILY POST reports that the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident to journalists in Benin City on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Ikoedem stated that four houses were set ablaze by some youths following the incident, not seven as had been reported.

DAILY POST gathered that the incident occurred on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Ogute-Ke, a community in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the incident stemmed from an alleged misunderstanding over a girlfriend.

According to the source, the incident occurred shortly after the community celebrated its Olimi Festival. Several other persons were also said to have fled the community to avoid arrest.

“Trouble started in the community during a party held to celebrate the burial of a popular chief in the locality. At the party, one of the young men became angry that another man was dancing with the girl he had brought to the event.

“The aggrieved individual allegedly used a cutlass to inflict an injury on the other man’s neck. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

“When news of his death reached youths in his area, they mobilised, armed themselves with dangerous weapons, and went to the suspect’s house, but he had already fled,” the source said.

The source added that the youths found the area deserted and, in anger, launched a reprisal attack, setting several houses ablaze before fleeing the scene.

A young man has been stabbed to death in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, in what residents say is a growing wave of violence linked to street gangs operating in parts of the city.

The incident occurred on Monday morning along Mary Slessor Road, where the victim was allegedly attacked following a dispute with a suspected gang member.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Akata, said the suspect traced and pursued the victim before stabbing him with a knife.

According to her, the victim was rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, for medical attention but later died from his injuries.

“The victim was taken to UCTH for treatment, but was later confirmed dead by doctors. The body has been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy,” Akata said.

She disclosed that the suspect had been arrested, adding that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

The killing comes barely days after another incident that generated outrage in Calabar, with residents alleging that a young woman was murdered after being lured to an apartment by a suspect’s girlfriend.

Community members claimed the suspect attempted to dispose of parts of the victim’s body before he was apprehended by vigilantes and handed over to security operatives.

However, the police said no corpse was recovered from the premises, although investigators reportedly discovered traces of blood in the suspect’s residence.

The latest incidents have heightened concerns among residents, who say street gangs popularly known as “Skolombo Boys” are making a comeback in several parts of the city.

The groups, mostly made up of minors and teenagers, are said to occupy abandoned buildings, tunnels and public parks. Residents accuse them of engaging in violent attacks, robbery and other criminal activities, particularly at night.