Four cattle herders were shot dead when armed men attacked a cattle camp in the Ifite Awka Community of Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, in the early hours of Tuesday. The victims, all brothers from the same family, have been identified as Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi, and Sani Bujumi. The cattle camp is owned by one Alhaji Aminu Mohammed.
MACBAN Condemns Attack, Calls for Arrest of Perpetrators
The National Deputy Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, said the herders were carrying out routine cattle-rearing activities when unknown armed assailants opened fire on them indiscriminately. In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Siddiki condemned the attack and called on security agencies to immediately apprehend the perpetrators. He also urged the Anambra State Government to strengthen security to protect lives and property.
Several cattle were also killed during the attack, and the assailants reportedly fled towards the nearby Mgbakwu Community with portions of the carcasses. One herder, Usman Iliyasu, managed to escape and is assisting investigators.
Survivor Recounts Ordeal
A survivor who spoke at the B Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Awka said the attack took place near Miracle Junction in Ifite Awka. According to him, the gunmen had already begun slaughtering cattle before a security team arrived and forced them to flee. He praised the response of the Joint Task Force but appealed to MACBAN members to remain calm and avoid retaliation.
Police Confirm Use of Sophisticated Weapons
The state police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described the incident as gruesome. He confirmed that the attack occurred in a residential settlement in the hinterland of Agu-Ifite, Awka. A Police-led Joint Security Team responded after receiving a distress call and found four cows dead at the scene, with two others already killed and portions of their meat removed. Police officers also recovered several sacks of abandoned meat near the scene.
Preliminary findings showed the attackers used sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns, and machetes. The police spokesperson confirmed that one survivor is assisting investigators. The Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive, intelligence-driven investigation to identify and prosecute all those responsible for the killings.
Police Urge Public Cooperation
Ikenga urged 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.
Previous Attacks on Herdsmen
Recall that gunmen ambushed a group of herders grazing cattle near Tanjol community in Riyom LGA of Plateau State on Sunday, July 19, 2026. MACBAN identified the three deceased herders by name and accused the Berom ethnic group of carrying out the attack. The Berom Youth Moulders Association denied the allegation, claiming the victims were attackers repelled by local vigilantes.
In another incident, two herdsmen were killed in Talma village, Plateau state, while heading to a cattle pen late Monday night, June 22, 2026. The MACBAN chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, condemned the unprovoked attack, calling for justice against the perpetrators. A survivor recounted his narrow escape from gunmen, highlighting the ongoing violence against herders in the region.
