Benue: Gunmen attack bereaved family, demand burial proceeds

Just five days after laying their mother to rest, the family of Lawrence Iorwa in Benue State has been hit by another devastating incident as armed men attacked their home and demanded money raised during the burial.

The incident reportedly happened in the early hours of Friday, when three unidentified gunmen stormed the family compound. 

Eyewitnesses said the assailants brutalised occupants of the house, subjecting them to physical assault and torture.

The attackers were said to be searching specifically for funds contributed during the burial of the family’s late mother, who died in a motor accident along the Amaafu–Katsina-Ala Road.

“The brutal assault left several members of the family injured and traumatized. Lawrence’s father reportedly sustained a badly swollen leg, while Lawrence himself suffered serious injuries to his hand.

“An aunt and an uncle’s wife who were also in the house at the time of the attack were beaten and robbed.

“Despite resistance from the victims, the assailants overpowered them and carted away all available cash and valuables in the house,” he said.

Beyond cash, the gunmen reportedly made away with mobile phones, packed shuttle bags, clothes, and other personal belongings belonging to the victims.

“In a particularly distressing development, the attackers also took away the clothes of the family’s late mother.

“The gunmen further compounded the family’s ordeal by stealing their motorcycle, effectively cutting off their only means of transportation and leaving them stranded.”

An emotional family member, who requested anonymity, described the incident as overwhelming, saying the household is struggling to cope with the compounded loss and violence.

“the family is now grappling with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and deep uncertainty.

“We are still trying to recover from the loss of our mother when this happened. Our father is injured, others are badly beaten, and all we had were taken away. It feels like our world has been turned upside down.”

He added that the aftermath of the attack has left the family living in fear and confusion.

“unfamiliar and deeply unsettling. Nothing feels normal anymore. We are scared, hurt, and unsure of what to do next,” he said.

The family has appealed to security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently step in, investigate the incident, and bring those responsible to justice.