By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

About nine persons were on Monday killed in Ukpomachi village, Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, in an attack by unknown asailants, who also destroyed property worth millions of Naira.

While some are blaming Fulani herdsmen for the attack, Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, South-East zone, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, has said that it was Fulani people living in the community that were killed.

According to him, a total of 19 Fulani, including children, were attacked and killed, while all their belongings destroyed and 23 cows killed.

He added: “As I speak to you now, the dead bodies are with us at Amasea Community in Awka North Local Government Area. One and two years old kids, whose parents were killed in the attack, are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state.”

Sadiki called on his members not to react but to allow the police and other security agencies to do their work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the ungodly attacks.

In a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, said that only nine persons were killed in the attack.

The statement partly reads: “Commissioner of Police Anambra State Police Command, CP Monday Bala Kuryas, has ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Operational and Intelligence assets to identify and apprehend the unknown armed men, who violently attacked Ukpomachi Village, Awkuzu in Oyi LGA of the state, in the early hours of 26th, April 2021.

“Meanwhile, a crack team of Police operatives of the command, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, have visited the scene and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the incidence and have successfully restored normalcy in the area and adequate security placed to forestall further occurrence.

“The assailants said to be armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons, invaded the village in their numbers and attacked the residents, resulting in the death of nine persons (whose identities are yet unknown) and inflicted injuries on some others as well as destroyed some buildings and livestock.

“To this end, the Commissioner while reassuring Ndi Anambra, particularly people of the community, of the command’s resolve to get to the root of the incidence, has called on them to remain calm and volunteer useful information that would enable the Police and other security agencies to collaboratively handle and bring the situation to a logical conclusion.”

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