At least not less than twenty cows have been killed and a herder escaped death during an attack by unknown gunmen in Mgbaukwu Community, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The attack happened on Wednesday, November 15th, 2023 while the herdsman was relocating cows to neighbouring communities of Amanuke and Ebenebe.
The leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria or MCBAN in the Southeast, Gidado Siddiki, disclosed the attack while briefing the newsmen in Awka, noting that the entire Fulani family in the state is currently living in fear over the incident.
He said that the police and local vigilantes in the vicinity were aware of the attack and emphasized that the gunmen were still besieging the scene of the incident.
“I came to know about the incident when the owner of the cows Mr Haruna Mohammed called me on Friday, November 10, and told me that he heard an announcement in the community that some people suspected to be gunmen were planning to attack his cows. Then I advised him to relocate the cows to the neighbouring communities of Amanuke and Ebenebe with immediate effect, which he obeyed but to our unimaginable surprise the gunmen got to know the information and trailed Mr Mohammed and his cows to Amanuke town where they ambushed them on Monday and in the process, a total of 20 cows worth about N14 million were killed and others injured.”
Siddiki said the victim was born and brought up in the community and is a peace-loving man who has friends and has been participating in every ceremony that happens in the town. Adding: “I don’t know why he should be rewarded for such inhuman treatment.”
The Miyetti Allah Leader continued: “Before the execution of the act, I called the Transition Committee Chairman of Awka North LGA, Comrade Thankgod Anago, and informed him about the threat, but he could not do anything to prevent the ugly situation. Our people are currently living in fear across the State coupled with the economic hardship in the country. And as I am speaking to you now, the gunmen are still laying siege at the scene of the attack alongside the cows.
Siddikki, who is also Siriki Fulani in Anambra and the National Deputy Director of MCBAN called on the State Government, and security agencies to ensure that those behind the invasion are brought to Justice, and also appealed to his members to remain calm and go about their normal businesses.
He however commended the State Government and security agencies for their steadfast commitment to ensuring the sanctity of lives and properties in the State and their prompt response to curtail further destruction.
At least twenty cows were killed, and a herder narrowly escaped death during an attack by unknown gunmen in Mgbaukwu Community, Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State. The incident occurred on November 15, 2023, while the herdsman was moving cows to neighboring communities. Gidado Siddiki, leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN) in the Southeast, revealed that the Fulani community is living in fear due to the attack. He mentioned that local police and vigilantes were aware but were unable to prevent the ongoing siege by the gunmen. The owner of the cows, Haruna Mohammed, had been warned about a potential attack and attempted to relocate the cows, yet the gunmen ambushed them, killing twenty cows worth about N14 million.
Siddiki described Mohammed as a peace-loving person involved in community activities and expressed confusion over the attack. Despite informing local authorities prior to the attack, no measures were taken to prevent it. He urged the State Government and security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice while commending their efforts in safeguarding lives and properties. He also appealed for calm among his members and acknowledged the continued threat posed by the armed assailants at the scene.
