Tension in Awka After Deadly Attack on Herders, Livestock

Tension gripped Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Tuesday after suspected gunmen attacked a ranch in Ifite Awka, killing four herders and several cattle.

Following the incident, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) appealed to its members to remain calm, expressing confidence that the Anambra State Government and security agencies would bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
The four victims, who were members of the same family, were identified as Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi and Sani Bujumi. Their deaths have heightened anxiety in the state capital.
In a statement, MACBAN National Deputy Director-General, Gidado Siddiki, described the attack as tragic and condemned the killing of the herders, who he said were peacefully carrying out their cattle-rearing activities at the camp owned by Alhaji Aminu Mohammed in Ifite Awka, Awka South Local Government Area.
According to him, the attackers opened fire on the herders, killing four of them, while several cattle were also slaughtered. He added that the assailants fled with some cattle carcasses towards the nearby Mgbakwu Community, while one herder, Usman Iliyasu, narrowly escaped.
Siddiki called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack, arrest those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted. He also urged the Anambra State Government to strengthen security measures to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
He commended the prompt intervention of the Joint Task Force and the Anambra State Government in recovering the bodies of the deceased, describing their swift response as a demonstration of commitment to peace and security.
The MACBAN official further advised members of the association to remain calm, stay within their camps and avoid taking the law into their own hands, urging them to cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said a Police-led Joint Security Team responded to the scene after receiving a distress call.
He said the operatives found four male victims with fatal injuries. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had their hands tied and suffered multiple injuries, including machete cuts and blunt force trauma. He also disclosed that two residential huts in the settlement were set ablaze during the attack.
Ikenga added that security operatives found four dead cows at the scene, while two others had been slaughtered, with parts of the meat taken away by the attackers. Some sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat were also recovered nearby.
According to the police spokesman, preliminary findings indicate that the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns and machetes. He noted that the lone survivor escaped unharmed and is assisting investigators with useful information.
The Anambra State Police Command appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support ongoing investigations by providing credible and timely information, assuring that further updates would be made available as the investigation progresses.