Four herders have been killed in a deadly attack by unidentified gunmen at a cattle settlement in Ifite Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The victims, identified as Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi and Sani Bujumi, were reportedly brothers from the same family.
The National Deputy Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, said the attackers stormed the cattle camp, owned by Alhaji Aminu Mohammed, in the early hours of Tuesday and opened fire on the herders while they were carrying out their normal activities.
According to the association, several cattle were also killed during the attack, while the assailants reportedly butchered some of the animals and fled with portions of the meat. One herder, Usman Iliyasu, escaped unharmed.
MACBAN condemned the attack and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, arrest the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. The association also appealed to the Anambra State Government to strengthen security to safeguard lives and property.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described the attack as gruesome and said the Commissioner of Police had ordered a comprehensive investigation.
Ikenga disclosed that Police-led Joint Security Team operatives responded swiftly to a distress call and recovered the bodies of the four victims. The team also found four cows dead, while two others had been slaughtered, with parts of the meat taken away by the attackers. Several sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat were also recovered near the scene.
He said preliminary investigations indicate that the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns and machetes.
The police spokesperson added that the lone survivor is assisting investigators with useful information, assuring residents that the command remains committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those behind the attack.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to provide credible information to support ongoing security operations.
