Gunmen Attack Bereaved Benue Family, Demand Burial Contributions

Barely five days after laying their mother to rest, a Benue State family has been thrown into fresh grief following a violent attack by suspected gunmen who reportedly invaded their home and demanded money raised during the burial.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday at the family compound of Mr. Lawrence Iorwa. Eyewitnesses said three unidentified armed men stormed the residence, where members of the bereaved family were still mourning the loss of their mother, who died in a motor accident along the Amaafu–Katsina-Ala Road.

According to accounts from the family, the assailants subjected occupants of the house to severe beatings and intimidation while demanding to know where the burial contributions were kept. Several family members were injured during the attack.

Lawrence’s father reportedly sustained a badly swollen leg, while Lawrence himself suffered serious injuries to his hand. An aunt and the wife of Lawrence’s uncle, who were also present in the house, were beaten and dispossessed of their belongings.

Despite attempts by the victims to resist, the gunmen overpowered them and made away with all available cash and valuables in the house. Items reportedly stolen included mobile phones, shuttle bags, clothes and other personal belongings.

In a particularly distressing twist, the attackers were also said to have taken away the clothes belonging to the family’s late mother, further deepening the family’s trauma.

Residents of the area expressed shock over the incident, describing it as inhumane and heartless, especially given the family’s recent loss. They also raised concerns over rising insecurity in rural communities, where criminals now reportedly target bereaved families believed to have received financial support during funerals.

As of the time of filing this report, it was not clear whether the incident had been formally reported to security agencies. Community members have called on the police and other relevant authorities to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.