Panic in Ebonyi community as land tussle leaves many beheaded, houses razed

…Governor tasks security agencies on thorough investigation

BY CHIJIOKE SIMON, ABAKALIKI

A tragic and brutal attack on the Okporojo Community in Oso Edda, Ebonyi State, has left many residents feared dead and several others abducted. The assault occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, January 29, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., when a group of unidentified armed men descended upon the peaceful community, launching a devastating attack that involved indiscriminate gunfire and the setting ablaze of numerous homes.

Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of chaos as the assailants ambushed the unsuspecting villagers, prompting widespread panic. Many residents fled for their lives, seeking refuge in nearby bushes to escape the unfolding violence. Reports indicate that several homes were completely destroyed, with locals alleging that at least four victims were beheaded during the attack; disturbing claims suggest that the attackers took the severed heads away with them.

In addition to the fatalities, numerous villagers sustained injuries of varying severity, and many others remain unaccounted for. A distressing video that has circulated on social media depicts homes engulfed in flames, with anguished residents calling for help and urgently appealing to the Ebonyi State Government and security forces for immediate intervention.

Local sources attribute this brutal assault to an ongoing land dispute that has persisted for decades between Oso Edda and Amasiri in the Afikpo Local Government Area. This long-standing disagreement over boundary claims has historically led to violence, loss of life, and the destruction of property worth billions of naira.

On Friday morning, Chief Etta Ude, the State Commissioner for Internal Security, confirmed the attack, stating that security measures had been intensified in the affected area to prevent any further escalation. He revealed that by 5 p.m. on the day of the attack, he had been informed of the raid and took immediate action, coordinating with local council leaders and deploying military and police units to restore order.

“It is a fact. By 5 p.m. on Thursday, I was informed that some hoodlums invaded one of the villages in Oso Edda and massacred about four persons. I immediately intervened and contacted the two council chairmen and other security agencies,” Ude stated, emphasizing the efforts to ensure security in the area.

The commissioner expressed a commitment to accountability, stating, “What we have resolved with the Commissioner of Police is that there must be massive arrests to ensure that we uncover the root cause of this issue. Anyone found involved will be brought to book and made to face the law.”

As of the time of this report, the Ebonyi State Police Command has not released an official statement regarding the incident. Still, residents remain anxious, calling for a sustained presence of security personnel in the area to avert further attacks and promote lasting peace.

The tragic events unfolding in Okporojo serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for conflict resolution and community safety in regions affected by historical grievances and violence.

Meanwhile, Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has mandated security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the recent attack on the people of Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area, which resulted in loss of life and significant property damage.

The directive comes as the governor expressed his outrage over what he termed a “barbaric” act that undermines the sanctity of human life.

In an official press release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, Governor Nwifuru conveyed his profound shock at the incident, emphasizing that such acts of violence are an affront to the state’s commitment to restoring peace within its communities. “This act of callousness is a direct affront to our commitment to restoring peace in our communities, and we cannot tolerate it,” he stated.

The governor reassured the public of the government’s prioritization of security, stating, “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.” He has vowed to work closely with law enforcement agencies to apprehend the perpetrators while appealing to the Oso Edda community to refrain from retaliatory violence.

In his response to the tragedy, Governor Nwifuru has ordered law enforcement officers to deploy swiftly to the affected area to prevent any potential reoccurrence or acts of reprisal.