A fight broke out between youths in Shani Local Government Area of Borno State after a man from one village went to another to ask for a girl’s hand in marriage.
The incident left several people injured and led to a quick response from the police to stop the violence.
According to a post on Friday by security analyst, Zagazola Makama on X, the incident occurred on June 11, 2025, when a young man identified as Mamaru from Kubo community visited Bargu village with his friends to propose marriage to 17-year-old Babaliya Hassan, a resident of Bargu.
Sources said Babaliya laid a mat in front of her father’s compound to celebrate the occasion with both families.
However, the proposal was met with strong opposition from some youths in Bargu, who reportedly objected to outsiders marrying women from their community.
The disagreement escalated into a confrontation, forcing Babaliya to retreat into her home while Mamaru and his friends withdrew and left behind their mats.
Though the situation initially appeared to have calmed, tensions reignited when the young men returned later to retrieve their mats.
Babaliya, in the heat of the moment allegedly attacked one of the visitors, Muhammad Isa, with a pestle, leaving him seriously injured.
Another person, Shuaibu Ali, sustained minor injuries during the fracas.
“The following day, which coincided with Bargu’s market day, the dispute spiralled into broader communal violence. Youths from Kubo, allegedly seeking revenge, rode into Bargu on motorcycles. In the ensuing chaos, a man named Friday Lado was attacked by Bargu youths, who also set his red Boxer motorcycle ablaze.
“ Six more motorcycles belonging to Kubo youths were reportedly seized by the Bargu community. A woman, Rukayya Buba, was also injured during the confrontation,” Makama wrote.
According to Makama, the Borno State Police Command quickly deployed its crack squad tactical team to the area.
The security personnel restored calm and evacuated the injured to Shani General Hospital for treatment.
“After receiving medical care, the victims were discharged, and the impounded motorcycles were transferred to the Shani Divisional Police Office for safekeeping,” Makama added.
