A traditional festival in Amangbala, Ohaisu community of Afikpo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, ended in tragedy in the early hours of Monday, after a young man, identified as Peter, was fatally stabbed during a violent altercation.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. inside the Ogo Amaokwu-Amangbala chamber, where local youths were busy preparing costumes for the highly respected Iko Ohaisu festival.
Sources from the community revealed that trouble erupted when a man named Daniel arrived at the chamber and demanded a ₦1,000 levy from those present, claiming he and his associates had cleaned the facility.
Eyewitnesses said tensions escalated when Peter informed him that he did not have the money.
Oyim Chukwuemeka, a member of the community, explained, “The suspect attacked Peter with a broken bottle, inflicting deep cuts before fleeing the scene.” Peter was rushed to Maranatha Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival due to excessive blood loss.
Angry youths quickly apprehended Daniel and handed him over to security operatives.
The shocking killing cast a shadow over the festival, creating tension in the community as police moved in to restore order and arrested several individuals linked to the incident.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said, “The matter has been reported to the command and the suspect is in our custody.”
