Terror in Ebonyi: Gunmen Behead Residents, Kidnap Villagers, Set Community Homes Ablaze

Gunmen have carried out a violent overnight attack on Okporojo community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, killing several residents, abducting many others, and burning homes.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday, January 30, 2026, according to residents and local sources. Witnesses said the assailants stormed the community suddenly, firing gunshots and forcing residents to flee in different directions.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the attackers carried out brutal killings during the raid. According to the source, at least five people were beheaded, and the attackers reportedly took the severed heads with them. The exact number of those killed and abducted remains unclear as residents continue to account for missing persons.

“They came while people were still sleeping,” the resident said. “They started shooting immediately, went from house to house, killed people, kidnapped others, and set buildings on fire.”

Several houses were set ablaze during the attack, leaving families displaced and properties destroyed. Videos circulating on social media show fires engulfing residential buildings, while voices in the background cry for help and call on government authorities and security agencies to intervene.

In one of the videos, a distressed voice is heard saying, “The whole community is under attack. They are burning our houses and killing our people.”

Another resident said the community was thrown into panic, forcing many villagers to flee into nearby bushes and neighbouring communities to escape the violence. “Nobody knows who they are or why they came. People are running for their lives,” the resident said.

The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed the attack, describing it as barbaric. However, details on the number of casualties and abducted persons have not been officially released. Security agencies have yet to announce arrests or identify those responsible for the attack. The motive behind the assault remains unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility.

Residents of Okporojo have appealed to the state government and security agencies to urgently deploy security personnel to the area to restore calm, rescue abducted villagers, and prevent further attacks.

Okporojo is one of several rural communities in Ebonyi State that have experienced recurring violence in recent years. In April 2025, four people were killed during a land dispute involving the neighbouring Amasiri community, an incident that heightened concerns about insecurity and unresolved conflicts in the area.

As of the time of filing this report, tension remains high in the community, with many residents still afraid to return to their homes.