They Cut Me with a Cutlass While My Family Slept — Man Cries Out After Alleged Robbery by Suspected Fulani/Hausa Group in Lokoja
A chilling story has emerged from Shetima community, near the Army barracks in Lokoja, Kogi State, where a man narrowly escaped with his life after suspected Fulani/Hausa armed robbers invaded his home in the early hours of Wednesday, June 26, 2025.
According to a NewsVista reporter, the man, whose name was withheld for safety reasons, said the robbers stormed his home around 2 a.m., armed with machetes and other weapons, catching the entire family off guard while they were fast asleep.
“Me and my family were sleeping when they burst into the room,” he said. “They were about 20 in number. Some entered the parlour, others came into the bedroom with machetes, asking us where we kept the money.”
Despite living close to a military barracks, the gang operated freely, moving from house to house within the area without any resistance from security operatives. The victim expressed disbelief at how emboldened the attackers were, even so close to government presence.
“They cut me with a cutlass,” he added. “But I thank God none of my children or wife were injured. They took everything valuable and left.”
The incident has sparked renewed fears about the declining state of security in the country. The victim, speaking in frustration, lamented how nowhere in Nigeria feels safe anymore — not even communities located next to military facilities.
“This is what life in Nigeria has become,” he said. “You can be rich or poor, in the city or the village, it doesn’t matter. Nigeria no longer protects anyone. This country no send anybody.”
He also referenced a similar experience shared earlier by another resident, Deborah Linus, whose story was initially doubted by many — until his own ordeal confirmed just how real and widespread such attacks have become.
For many Nigerians, armed robbery, home invasions, and banditry are no longer shocking headlines — they are now everyday realities. From cities to rural areas, criminals appear to operate with growing boldness, while citizens are left feeling abandoned by the system.
“The government is either overwhelmed or afraid of these criminals,” he said angrily. “Either way, we are the ones suffering for it.”
He ended his account with a heartfelt warning to fellow citizens:
“Please stay safe and security conscious. Things are getting worse, and if we don’t speak up, if our leaders don’t act, then what hope is left for us?”