Gunmen have attacked a herders' settlement located in a forest at Agu-Ifite, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing four people believed to be herders and setting two houses ablaze.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, also left several cattle dead.
According to the National Deputy Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, the assailants invaded the herders' camp, killed the victims, slaughtered several cattle, and fled with some of the carcasses.
Siddiki condemned the attack and called on security agencies to investigate the incident, arrest those responsible, and bring them to justice. He also urged the Anambra State Government to strengthen security and protect lives and property.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said a police-led joint security team responded to a distress call and found four male victims with fatal injuries.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had their hands tied and suffered multiple machete cuts and blunt force injuries. Two huts in the forest settlement were also burnt, while four cows were found dead and two others had been slaughtered, with parts of the meat removed by the attackers.
Ikenga added that the attackers were armed with AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns, and machetes. He said one survivor escaped unharmed and is assisting investigators.
The police have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators and appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could aid the ongoing investigation.
