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Barely five days after burying their mother, who tragically died in a motor accident along the Amaafu-Katsina Road, the family of Iorwua Tersen Lawrence faced another devastating ordeal when three unidentified gunmen stormed their compound in Benue State. The brutal attack, which occurred during a period of mourning, left family members severely injured, traumatized, and stripped of their belongings, compounding an already profound grief.
According to accounts from the family, the assailants, two of whom were armed with firearms, subjected them to severe beating and torture while demanding money contributed for the burial of their late mother. Despite resistance, the gunmen overpowered the household, making away with all available cash, smartphones, a power bank, a shuttle bag containing clothes, and other valuables belonging to Lawrence’s father. In a particularly callous act, they also stole the deceased mother’s clothes and carted away the family’s only motorcycle—their primary means of mobility—leaving them completely stranded.
Several family members sustained serious injuries in the assault. Lawrence’s father suffered a badly swollen leg, while Lawrence himself endured a swollen hand from the brutal beating. An aunt and an uncle’s wife who were present were also beaten and robbed. The attackers further deepened the family’s hardship by stealing essential items, cutting off their transportation and plunging them into greater isolation and uncertainty.
Now grappling with physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial ruin, the family is struggling to cope. Lawrence revealed that they had recently reactivated a new Airtel SIM card, underscoring how the incident has left everything feeling unfamiliar and deeply unsettling. The loss of their motorcycle has made basic movement difficult, especially as they navigate the aftermath of both the accident and this violent invasion.
The family is appealing for help and justice as they attempt to rebuild their shattered lives following yet another heartbreaking blow. This incident highlights the growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Benue State, where armed attacks on vulnerable households continue to instill fear and disrupt communities. Authorities are yet to comment publicly, but the victims hope for swift investigation and support to bring the perpetrators to book and aid their recovery.
