Panic In Ebonyi As Gunmen Behead Five People, Kidnap Others

Unidentified gunmen have attacked the Okporojo community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, killing many residents and abducting others.

Naijapunchnews learnt that the assailants ambushed the community, setting houses on fire as they carried out the attack. Several people were killed during the invasion, while others were forcibly taken away by the gunmen.

It was further alleged that the attackers beheaded five persons during the assault and fled with their severed heads, leaving the community in fear and confusion.

A video of the incident, which has since gone viral on social media, showed houses engulfed in flames. In the footage, residents were seen calling on the Ebonyi State Government and security agencies to urgently come to their aid.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ebonyi State Police Command nor the state government had issued any official statement on the attack.

Meanwhile, gunmen who abducted about 177 worshippers during church services in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have asked for ₦250 million and 20 motorcycles before they will free the victims.

The demand was made days after the attack, which happened on January 17, 2026, in the Kurmin Wali community.

The Village Head of the area, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed that the abductors contacted the community and stated their conditions for release.

The attack took place while worshippers were attending services in three churches within the community.

Those affected included members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and 2, as well as the Evangelical Church Winning All.

The abductors were said to have accused residents of Kurmin Wali of stealing 17 motorcycles they claimed were lost during military operations in Kajuru.

They also alleged that parts were removed from the remaining motorcycles.

Based on these claims, they insisted that the community must pay the cash ransom and provide 20 motorcycles before the abducted worshippers would be released.