Benue: Gunmen attack bereaved family, demand money made from burial

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Barely five days after burying their mother, the family of Lawrence Iorwa has been plunged into fresh tragedy following a violent attack on their family compound by unknown armed men.

According to eyewitness accounts, three unidentified gunmen, stormed the residence of the mourners in the early hours of Friday, subjecting family members to severe beatings and torture.

They were said to have also demanded the money contributed during the burial of their 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.

The armed men reportedly carted away phones, packed shuttle bags, clothes, and all personal belongings of some of the victims.

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