Gunmen have reportedly attacked Okporojo community in Ebonyi State’s Edda Local Government Area, killing several residents, abducting others, and setting houses ablaze.
Gunmen on Friday launched a deadly attack on Okporojo community in Oso Edda, within Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, leaving an unspecified number of people dead. Local sources said the attackers invaded the community in the early hours, unleashing violence that resulted in multiple killings, abductions, and the destruction of property. The Ebonyi State Government later confirmed the incident, describing the attack as “barbaric.”
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants carried out gruesome killings during the raid. “The gunmen beheaded five persons and took their heads away,” the source said, adding that “many people were also kidnapped, and several houses were set on fire.” Videos circulating on social media showed fires engulfing residential buildings, with distressed voices calling for help. “The whole community is under attack. They are burning our houses and killing our people,” a voice said in one of the clips.
Another resident said the community had been thrown into chaos, forcing villagers to flee into nearby bushes and neighbouring communities. “We don’t know who these people are. They came suddenly and started shooting and burning houses. People are running for their lives,” the resident said. As of the time of filing this report, the motive behind the attack remains unknown and no group has claimed responsibility, while residents appealed to the state government and security agencies to urgently deploy security forces to restore calm.