TERRORISTS BEHEAD FIVE IGBO CHRISTIANS IN EBONYI STATE

 

In a horrifying escalation of violence in Nigeria’s southeast, terrorists stormed the quiet rural community of Okporojo in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, unleashing a dawn-to-afternoon rampage that left at least five residents beheaded, an unspecified number killed, dozens abducted, and numerous homes reduced to ashes.

The brutal assault occurred on Thursday, January 29, 2026, beginning around 4:00 p.m. when heavily armed terrorists descended on the community, firing indiscriminately, setting houses ablaze, and carrying out executions in a manner described by survivors and local sources as calculated to instill maximum terror.

According to eyewitness accounts compiled from multiple reports, the terrorists specifically targeted five victims for beheading, severing their heads and reportedly carrying them away as trophies of the attack.

Bodies of the decapitated victims were later discovered in pools of blood, while flames continued to engulf residential structures well into the evening.

Community members who managed to flee described scenes of chaos, with screams echoing through the village as terrorists rounded up residents for abduction.

“Many people were also kidnapped, and several houses were set on fire,” one local source told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisals.

Viral videos circulating on social media showed smoldering homes and the grim aftermath, further amplifying calls for urgent federal intervention.

The exact death toll beyond the five confirmed beheadings remains uncertain, with reports varying between several and over a dozen fatalities.

Dozens are feared abducted, their whereabouts unknown as of Friday afternoon.

No group has claimed responsibility for the massacre, but the savagery mirrors patterns seen in previous acts of terrorism across parts of the region.

Ebonyi State Commissioner for Internal Security, Chief Etta Ude (also referred to in some accounts as Etta Uka Ude), confirmed the incident and described the government’s swift response.

“Security has been reinforced in the affected area to prevent further escalation,” he stated.

“As of now, everywhere is calm.”

The commissioner ordered a full investigation, called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, and warned that “anyone found involved will be brought to book and made to face the law.”

Tactical teams from the police and military have been deployed to the area to restore order and pursue the fleeing terrorists.

However, as of Friday evening, no arrests had been publicly announced, and residents expressed frustration over the apparent failure of security forces to prevent or intercept the attack.

The incident has reignited long-standing concerns about persistent insecurity in Ebonyi State, particularly in boundary communities like Okporojo, which have historically experienced tensions over land and resources with neighboring areas.

While some local narratives point to communal disputes, the extreme brutality—including ritualistic beheadings—has led many to classify the perpetrators as terrorists intent on sowing fear and displacement.

Community leaders and residents have appealed to both state and federal authorities for sustained protection, including permanent security outposts, and for decisive action to dismantle networks enabling such attacks.

As night fell on Okporojo, smoke still rose from ruined homes, a stark reminder of the terror that descended without warning.

This latest atrocity underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat terrorism and restore peace in Nigeria’s vulnerable rural communities.

Further updates are expected as security operations continue and more details emerge.