Gunmen Attack Ebonyi Community, Behead Several, Kidnap Many, Burn Homes

Local sources told SaharaReporters that the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Friday, unleashing violence that left several residents killed, many abducted, and multiple houses razed.

Gunmen have reportedly 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 told SaharaReporters that the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Friday, unleashing violence that left several residents killed, many abducted, and multiple houses razed.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told SaharaReporters that 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 show raging fires consuming residential buildings, while voices in the background can be heard crying for help and calling on authorities to intervene.

“The whole community is under attack. They are burning our houses and killing our people,” a distressed voice said in one of the clips.

Another resident said the community had been thrown into chaos, with many villagers fleeing into nearby bushes and neighbouring communities for safety.

“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.

At the time of filing this report, the motive behind the attack remains unknown, and no group has so far claimed responsibility.

The state government has confirmed the attack, describing it as “barbaric”.

Residents are appealing to the state government and security agencies to urgently deploy security forces to the area to restore calm and prevent further loss of lives.

Okporojo community is one of several rural settlements in Ebonyi State that have in recent years experienced sporadic violent attacks, raising concerns about worsening insecurity in parts of the state.

In April 2025, four people were killed during a land dispute with the neighbouring community of Amasiri.