19 HERDERS FEARED DEAD AS UNKNOWN GUNMEN ATTACK ANAMBRA COMMUNITY

Reporter : UCHE NDEKE

Nineteen herdsmen, have been allegedly killed by unknown gunmen in Igbariam, Anambra State.

According to eye witnesses, the hoodlums stormed the Igbariam junction axis where the herders live, killing them and their cows.

The situation caused panic and tension within the area, which is largely inhabited by students of the Anambra State University, Igbariam.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, the Student Union Governor, Igbariam Campus, Comrade Kizito said the incident, which happened at about two o’clock Monday morning, forced many students and residents to flee the area for fear of reprisal attacks.

He however said security agencies had been contacted and a team of joint patrol teams was already on ground in the area.

The Public Reactions Officer of the University, Dr. Christian Chukwueloka, in a telephone interview, described the incident as unfortunate but noted that the school authority might not have much to do over the panic as the students reside outside the university compound.

Confirming the incident to Radio Nigeria, the Chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria , South East Zone, Alhaji Gidado Sadik, who visited the scene, said nineteen persons, including women and children were slaughtered and twenty-three cows shot by the unknown persons.

Alhaji Sadik while describing the incident as barbaric , allayed the fears of some people that there might be onslaught on the residents of the area.

Radio Nigeria gathered that many students and other residents of the area upon hearing about the incident started relocating from their hostels while some parents drove down to pick their wards for fear of reprisal attack.

As at the time of filling this report, the Police Public Relations Officer Anambra State Command, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for comments as calls put to his cell phone were not picked