Five Days After Burial, Armed Men Strike Bereaved Home

WHAT should have been a time for healing after loss instead became another chapter of pain for the family of Lawrence Iorwa, whose home was violently invaded by gunmen just five days after the burial of their mother. The attackers, witnesses say, specifically demanded money contributed during the funeral, exposing a disturbing trend of criminals exploiting bereavement.

The armed men struck in the early hours of Friday, catching the family off guard. They reportedly beat and tortured occupants of the compound, forcing them to surrender cash and valuables while repeatedly demanding burial proceeds. The late mother had died in a road accident along the Amaafu–Katsina-Ala corridor, and the family was still receiving condolences when the attack occurred.

The assault left a trail of injuries. Lawrence’s father was left with a badly swollen leg, while Lawrence himself sustained serious damage to his hand. Other relatives in the house were not spared, as an aunt and an uncle’s wife were also beaten and robbed during the raid.

Despite resistance from the victims, the attackers reportedly overpowered them, seizing phones, clothes, packed bags, and all available cash. The attackers also took the clothes of the deceased woman, a move relatives described as emotionally devastating, given the fresh nature of the loss.

The gunmen further escaped with the family’s motorcycle, their only means of transportation, deepening the household’s hardship and leaving them isolated. For the victims, the robbery was not just material loss but a psychological blow that has intensified their grief.

An emotional family member said the attack had shattered any sense of normalcy, leaving them fearful and disoriented. The family has since called on security agencies and authorities to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice, warning that such crimes deepen trauma for already vulnerable families.