admin
Some yet-to-be-identified assailants have attacked a residential settlement in Agu-Ifite, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing four persons believed to be herders and setting two residential houses ablaze.
It was gathered that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, threw the community into panic.
The victims were said to be carrying out their activities when the armed assailants invaded the area.
The National Deputy Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, who disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, said several cattle were also killed during the attack.
Siddiki confirmed that the incident occurred at a cattle camp in Ifite Awka Community, stating that several cattle were slaughtered during the attack, while the assailants reportedly fled with some of the carcasses towards the nearby Mgbakwu Community.
“One of the herders narrowly escaped the attack. MACBAN strongly condemns this heinous and senseless attack and calls on all relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, apprehend the perpetrators, and bring them to justice,” Siddiki said.
He also appealed to the Anambra State Government to take urgent steps to strengthen security and protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens in the state.
“We sincerely appreciate the prompt response of the Joint Task Force and the Anambra State Government for their swift intervention and efforts in recovering the bodies of the deceased.
“Their timely action is commendable and demonstrates their commitment to maintaining peace and security,” he added.
Siddiki further advised all MACBAN members to remain calm, stay within their camps and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“We urge everyone to cooperate fully with the security agencies and allow the government to carry out the necessary investigations and take appropriate action to ensure justice is served.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and pray that Almighty Allah grants them Aljannatul Firdaus and gives their loved ones the strength and patience to bear this great loss,” he added.
One of the herders, who spoke with our correspondent at the B Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Awka, said the victims were attacked at Ifite, near Miracle Junction, in Awka South Local Government Area.
He alleged that the assailants killed four brothers and slaughtered seven cattle.
According to him, when they arrived at the scene with military personnel on Tuesday morning, the gunmen opened fire on the soldiers.
He said the attackers fled after encountering superior military firepower.
He further stated that before the arrival of the security team, the gunmen had already begun butchering the cattle.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the police-led joint security team responded to the scene following a distress report.
Ikenga confirmed that on arrival, four male victims with fatal injuries were discovered, adding that the police had launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the gruesome attack on a residential settlement in the hinterland of Agu-Ifite, Awka, which occurred in the early hours of July 21, 2026, and has ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“Operatives of the police-led joint security team responded to the scene following a distress report. On arrival, four male victims with fatal injuries were discovered.
“Preliminary observations revealed that the victims had their hands tied and sustained multiple injuries, including machete cuts and blunt force trauma. Two residential huts within the settlement were set ablaze during the attack.
“The police further observed four dead cows within the vicinity, while two other cattle had been slaughtered, with portions of the meat removed by the assailants. Some sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat were recovered a short distance from the scene.
“Further findings indicate that the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns and machetes. One of the survivors of the attack escaped unharmed and is assisting the police-led joint security team with useful information in their investigation.”
Ikenga extended the condolences of the command to the affected community through the Sarkin Fulani.
He said the command was committed to conducting a thorough, professional and intelligence-driven investigation to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that may aid the ongoing investigation.
“Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” the statement added.
