The Anambra State Police Command and leaders of the Fulani community have dismissed reports suggesting that the recent killing of four herdsmen in Agu-Ifite, Anambra State, resulted from a clash between farmers and herders. Both parties described the incident as a calculated criminal act aimed at disrupting the peace and harmony currently enjoyed in the state.
The four victims, said to be brothers born to the same father, were reportedly abducted, tied to a tree, tortured, and slaughtered by unidentified gunmen on July 21, 2026. Seven cattle were also killed during the attack. The incident sparked concerns in some quarters that it could trigger ethnic tensions or be linked to disputes between local farmers and pastoralists.
Meanwhile, the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State (ANIAS) has buried the four deceased herdsmen at Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State. Speaking during the burial ceremony, ANIAS President, Prince Chigozie Nweke, described the killings as unfortunate and condemned attempts by criminal elements to undermine the peaceful atmosphere in Anambra.
Nweke expressed solidarity with the Fulani community, assuring them of the support of non-indigenous residents in the collective fight against insecurity. He warned individuals bent on destabilizing the state through violence and misinformation to desist, stressing that Anambra remains committed to peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said preliminary investigations indicate that the attack was a deliberate conspiracy designed to create ethnic tension and discredit the security gains recorded in the state. According to him, there was no evidence linking the incident to any farmer-herder dispute.
“The attack on residential settlers in Agu-Ifite was part of a calculated criminal plot aimed at creating ethnic tension and undermining the existing peace and security in Anambra State,” Ikenga stated. He noted that residents of the state had continued to demonstrate unity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence despite efforts by criminal elements to sow discord.
The police spokesman disclosed that a Joint Security Team was immediately deployed to the area for an on-the-spot assessment and operational review. He said the team met with community leaders, representatives of the affected settlers, and other stakeholders to gather intelligence and strengthen security measures.
Ikenga further revealed that useful information obtained from survivors and other credible sources had provided investigators with significant leads. He assured residents that intelligence-driven operations and coordinated manhunt efforts were ongoing to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those responsible for the killings.
Also speaking, the leader of the Fulani community in Anambra State and Deputy National Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, rejected claims that the incident stemmed from a dispute over farmland or crop destruction.
“There is no farmland in that location to justify allegations that crops were destroyed. Those linking the killings to a farmer-herder clash are not correct. What happened appears to be a planned act of sabotage intended to create tension and insecurity,” Siddiki said.
He called on the Anambra State Government to include ANIAS President, Prince Chigozie Nweke, in any committee established to interface with host communities and non-indigenous residents, noting that the association plays a critical role in promoting peace and resolving disputes across ethnic lines.
Siddiki commended ANIAS for its longstanding collaboration with the Fulani community, describing the association as a dependable partner in conflict resolution and community engagement. According to him, greater synergy between indigenous and non-indigenous groups remains essential to sustaining peace and security across Anambra State.
