Gunmen kill four herders, slaughter cattle in Anambra

Tension heightened in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Tuesday after suspected gunmen shot dead four herders from the same family.

Several cattle were also slaughtered in the mayhem that greeted the town in the early hours of the day.

Investigations revealed that the armed men stormed a popular ranch in the densely populated Miracle Junction area, where they unleashed terror.

Sadly, the victims of the gunmen’s attack were children of the same parents.

Their names were given as Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi and Sani Bujumi.

However, the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has appealed for calm among its members.

It expressed confidence in the Anambra State Government and security agencies in the area to track down the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

The group has since confirmed that the four slain herders were from the same family.

Already, tension has gripped the student-populated Miracle Junction area, which is several kilometres from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) main campus in Awka.

Some residents have since fled the area to avoid possible reprisal attacks.

The National Deputy Director-General of the Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, in a statement to newsmen on Tuesday in Awka, expressed regret and sadness over the tragic incident.

He said, “The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) regrets to announce a tragic attack that occurred today, 21 July 2026, at the cattle camp of Alhaji Aminu Mohammed in Ifite Awka Community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“According to reports, unknown armed assailants invaded the cattle camp while the herders were peacefully engaged in their legitimate cattle-rearing activities.

“The attackers opened fire sporadically, resulting in the deaths of four herders, namely Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi and Sani Bujumi.

“Several cattle were also killed during the attack.

“The attackers were reported to have fled with some of the cattle carcasses towards the nearby Mgbakwu Community.

“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.

“We also appeal to the Anambra State Government to take urgent steps to strengthen security and protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.

“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.

“I also advise all our 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.”

In reaction, the Anambra State Police Command condemned the gruesome attack on a residential settlement in the hinterland of Agu-Ifite, Awka, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 21 July 2026.

It also ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.

A police-led joint security team responded to the scene following a distress report. On arrival, the operatives discovered four male victims with fatal injuries.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement to newsmen in Awka:

“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 also 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.

“Findings indicated that the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrelled guns and machetes. One of the survivors of the attack escaped unharmed and is assisting the police-led joint security team with useful information for the investigation.

“The Anambra State Police Command has extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the residential community through the Sarkin Fulani. The command is committed to conducting a thorough, professional and intelligence-driven investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“The command further urged 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.”