A violent attack on Okporojo Community, Oso Edda, in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has left several people dead, abducted, and homes destroyed.

The incident occurred on Thursday, January 29, 2026, around 4 p.m., when unidentified armed men stormed the community.

Reports indicate that the assailants set houses ablaze, killed residents, and abducted others. Disturbingly, over five persons were allegedly beheaded, with their heads taken away.

A viral video circulating online shows burning houses as residents cry out for urgent government and security intervention.

According to community sources, the attack stems from a decades-old land dispute between Oso Edda in Edda LGA and Amasiri in Afikpo LGA.

Both communities claim ancestral ownership of a contested tract of land, and tensions have flared repeatedly over the years.

Government Response

As of the time of filing this report, the Ebonyi State Police Command and the state government had not issued an official statement.

However, Governor Francis Nwifuru condemned the attack in strong terms through his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor.

“I received with rude shock the news of the recent attack on Oso Edda which claimed lives and led to destruction of property. This act of callousness is a direct affront to our commitment to restoring peace in our communities and we cannot tolerate it,” the Governor said.

He assured residents that the government would spare no effort in investigating the incident and bringing perpetrators to justice.

“As a government, the security of lives and property of our people is of utmost importance and no effort will be spared to get to the root of the matter,” Uzor quoted him as saying.

Governor Nwifuru appealed to the affected community not to engage in reprisals, warning that retaliation could worsen the crisis. He directed law enforcement agents to mobilize swiftly to the area to prevent further violence.

“My prayers and thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones and property in the unfortunate incident, and be rest assured that they will not be left alone,” he added.

The Governor further urged communities across Ebonyi State to embrace peace, stressing that no development can thrive in an atmosphere of violence and destruction.