Four herders from the same family were killed after suspected gunmen attacked a cattle settlement in Ifite Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, also left residential huts destroyed and several cattle killed or butchered.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that a police-led Joint Security Team responded to a distress call and recovered the bodies of the victims at the scene.
Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said preliminary findings showed that the victims had their hands tied and suffered multiple injuries, including machete wounds and blunt force trauma. Two residential huts in the settlement were also set ablaze during the attack.
Security operatives found four dead cows and discovered that two other cattle had been slaughtered, with parts of the meat removed. Sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat were later recovered near the settlement.
According to the police, the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns and machetes.
One survivor escaped unharmed and is assisting investigators with information that may help identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.
The police urged residents to remain calm and provide credible information that could aid ongoing investigations.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) condemned the killings and identified the victims as Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi and Sani Bujumi, all members of the same family.
In a statement signed by its National Deputy Director-General, Gidado Siddiki, MACBAN said the victims were attacked while carrying out their cattle-rearing activities at the camp belonging to Alhaji Aminu Mohammed.
The association stated that the gunmen opened fire on the herders before killing them and fleeing the scene. It also alleged that some cattle carcasses were taken away by the attackers towards the nearby Mgbakwu community.
Another herder, identified as Usman Iliyasu, reportedly escaped the attack.
MACBAN described the incident as senseless and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, arrest the perpetrators and ensure they are prosecuted.
The association also appealed to its members to remain peaceful and avoid reprisals while investigations continue. It further urged the Anambra State Government to strengthen security measures to protect lives and property across the state.
Security agencies have intensified efforts to track down those responsible for the attack as investigations continue.
