Gunmen on Tuesday stormed the cattle camp of Alhaji Aminu Mohammed in Ifite Awka Community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing four Fulani herders.
The deceased, who were brothers from the same family, were identified as Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi and Sani Bujumi.
When contacted, the National Deputy Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, confirmed the incident, describing it as highly condemnable.
He disclosed that several cattle were also killed during the attack, while two houses were set ablaze.
According to Siddiki, the unknown gunmen invaded the cattle camp while the herders were peacefully carrying out their legitimate cattle-rearing activities and opened fire indiscriminately, killing the four victims.
He further revealed that the attackers reportedly fled with some of the slaughtered cattle towards the nearby Mgbakwu Community.
According to him, one of the herders, Usman Iliyasu, 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.
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“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, remain 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 in Ifite, near Miracle Junction, in Awka South Local Government Area.
He alleged that the assailants murdered the 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, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, condemned what he described as a gruesome attack on a residential settlement in the hinterland of Agu-Ifite, Awka.
Ikenga said the attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
He disclosed that a Police-led Joint Security Team responded promptly to the scene following a distress call.
Upon arrival, the operatives discovered the bodies of four male victims with fatal injuries.
According to the police spokesman, preliminary observations revealed that the victims had their hands tied and sustained multiple injuries, including machete cuts and blunt-force trauma.
He added that two residential huts within the settlement were set ablaze during the attack.
Ikenga further disclosed that the Joint Security Team found four cows lying lifeless within the vicinity, while two others had been slaughtered and portions of their meat removed by the attackers. He added that several sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat were recovered a short distance from the scene.
According to him, preliminary findings indicate that the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel shotguns and machetes.
The police spokesman said one survivor escaped unharmed and is assisting the Police-led Joint Security Team with useful information to aid the ongoing investigation.
He further stated that the Anambra State Police Command has extended its heartfelt condolences to the affected families through the Sarkin Fulani in the state.
According to Ikenga, the Command remains committed to conducting a thorough, professional and intelligence-driven investigation to ensure that all those responsible are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“The Anambra State Police Command urges members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that may assist the ongoing investigation. Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” he said.
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