Killing of Two Herdsmen upsets Anambra Community - Police Deploys 500 Officers to maintain Peace

Fear has gripped the people of Umuoba-Anam in Anambra East local government area of Anambra state, following alleged killing of two cattle breeders by unknown persons in the area at the weekend.

But the South East leader of Cattle Breeders Association, otherwise known as (Miyetti-Allah), Alhaji Sadiq Gidado, said the incident took place at the weekend while they were grazing.

He said the cattle breeders were at Eziagulu-Otu community grazing, but decided to go to Otuocha market all in Anambra East council area to buy something, when they were abducted by some youths.

Gidado said since that incident, the two persons had not been seen, while their caps and shoes that they took to the place had been recovered, except the motorcycle.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Awka, 60-year-old Alhaji Bello Nuhu, father of one of the victims, Musa Bello Nuhu (26), said he had not slept since the incident happened.

He said he has the feeling that his son had been killed, since his shoes and caps were recovered, adding that he equally saw blood at the scene of the incident.

He said, “I was in my house when I got a call and I rushed to the place and since then, I’m devastated and worried because that my son is in charge of my cattle and the other siblings of his, cannot take care of the cattle.”

THISDAY gathered that because of the propensity for revenge by cattle headers, the Anambra state police command has deployed over 500 of its men to maintain peace and order in the community.

However, our correspondent gathered that six persons have been arrested over the incident, and were waiting to be interrogated by the police.

The state commissioner of police, Samuel Okaula told reporters yesterday in Awka that the command was not taking it lightly in the community, adding that anybody involved in any unwholesome act would face the full weight of law.

Though, he did not confirm the death of the herdsmen, he said the police command was still investigating what transpired in the community, saying that for now, the herdsmen can only be said to be missing.

Okaula, said his men had searched all nook and crannies of Umuoba-Anam community including their bushes to make sure that hoodlums looking for the missing men.

However, he called on the people to go about their normal businesses without panic as security operatives were on top of the situation.