Gunmen have carried out a deadly attack on Okporojo community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, killing several residents, abducting many others, and setting houses ablaze.
Local sources told SaharaReporters that the assailants stormed the community in the early hours of Friday, unleashing widespread violence that plunged the area into chaos.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers carried out gruesome killings during the raid.
“The gunmen beheaded five persons and took their heads away. Many people were also kidnapped, and several houses were set on fire,” the source said.
Videos circulating on social media show residential buildings engulfed in flames, while distressed voices 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 voice said in one of the clips.
Okporojo is among several rural communities in Ebonyi State that have experienced sporadic violent attacks in recent years, raising concerns about worsening insecurity in parts of the state. In April 2025, four people were reportedly killed during a land dispute with the neighbouring Amasiri community.
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Another resident said the attack forced many villagers to flee into nearby bushes and neighbouring communities in search of safety.
“We don’t know who these people are. They came suddenly, started shooting and burning houses, and people began running for their lives,” the resident said.
As of the time of filing this report, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility.
The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed the incident, describing the attack as “barbaric.”
Residents have appealed to the state government and security agencies to urgently deploy security personnel to the area to restore calm and prevent further loss of life.