Barely five days after laying their mother to rest, the family of Mr. Lawrence Iorwa in Benue State has suffered a renewed tragedy following a violent attack on their home by armed men.
According to eyewitnesses, three unidentified gunmen invaded the family compound in the early hours of Friday, assaulting occupants and demanding money contributed during the burial of their late mother, who died in a motor accident along the Amaafu–Katsina-Ala road.
The attackers reportedly subjected the victims to severe beatings and torture, leaving several members of the household injured and traumatised. Lawrence’s father was said to have sustained a serious leg injury, while Lawrence himself suffered deep wounds to his hand. An aunt and an uncle’s wife present during the attack were also beaten and robbed.
Despite attempts to resist the assailants, the gunmen overpowered the victims and made away with cash and valuables, including phones, shuttle bags, clothing, and other personal belongings.
In a disturbing twist, the intruders also took away the clothing of the family’s late mother and stole the family motorcycle — their only means of transportation — leaving them stranded.
Speaking about the ordeal, Lawrence described the incident as a devastating blow that struck at a time the family was still struggling with grief.
“We are still trying to recover from the loss of our mother when this happened. Our father is injured, others are badly beaten, and everything we had was taken away. It feels like our world has been turned upside down,” he said.
He added that life has become “unfamiliar and deeply unsettling” since the attack.
“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 intervene urgently and ensure the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Gunmen Attack Grieving Family Days After Mother’s Burial in Benue
