By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the killing of four Fulani herders during an attack on a residential settlement in Agu-Ifite, Awka South Local Government Area.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, July 21, also left residential huts destroyed by fire, while several cattle were killed and slaughtered by the assailants, who reportedly carted away portions of the meat before fleeing.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the Police-led Joint Security Team responded promptly to a distress call and discovered the bodies of four male victims with severe injuries.
According to him, preliminary findings revealed that the victims had their hands tied and sustained multiple machete cuts and blunt-force injuries. Two residential huts within the settlement were also set ablaze during the attack.
Ikenga disclosed that security operatives found four dead cows at the scene, while two additional cattle had been slaughtered, with parts of the meat taken away by the attackers. Some sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat were later recovered a short distance from the settlement.
He added that initial investigations indicated the attackers were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns and machetes.
The police also confirmed that one survivor escaped the attack unharmed and is assisting investigators with useful information that may help identify and apprehend those responsible.
The Command condemned the killings, describing them as barbaric, and assured the affected families and residents that a thorough, professional and intelligence-driven investigation was underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Police further extended condolences to the bereaved families through the Sarkin Fulani and appealed to members of the public to remain calm while providing credible information that could aid ongoing investigations.
The incident was also confirmed by the National Deputy Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, who identified the victims as Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi and Sani Bujumi, all brothers from the same family.
Siddiki said the victims were attending to their cattle when armed men stormed the settlement and opened fire. He added that several cattle were also killed, while some slaughtered carcasses were allegedly taken away toward the neighbouring Mgbakwu community.
A survivor of the attack also told security authorities that the assailants killed the four brothers and slaughtered seven cattle before security operatives arrived. According to the survivor, the attackers exchanged gunfire with the responding security team but fled after encountering superior firepower.
MACBAN condemned the attack and called for a comprehensive investigation and prosecution of those responsible. The association also urged the Anambra State Government to strengthen security around cattle settlements and other vulnerable communities across the state.
The association, however, commended the swift response of the Joint Security Team and appealed to its members to remain peaceful and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
In a follow-up statement issued on Wednesday, SP Ikenga reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident. He stressed the need for residents to remain united and resist attempts by criminal elements to incite ethnic tension in the state.
The police spokesman urged members of the public to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information, assuring that further updates would be released as investigations progress.
