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The Anambra State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into a deadly attack on a residential settlement in Agu-Ifite, Awka, which left four people dead, homes razed and livestock killed in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Command condemned the gruesome assault, describing it as a barbaric act, and vowed to track down those responsible and ensure they face the full weight of the law.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the Police-led Joint Security Team swiftly responded to a distress call following the attack.

According to him, four male victims were found dead at the scene with their hands tied, while preliminary investigations revealed that they suffered multiple machete cuts and blunt force injuries.

Ikenga added that the attackers also set two residential huts ablaze before fleeing.

“Operatives of the Police-led Joint Security team responded to the scene following a distress report. On arrival, four male victims with fatal injuries were discovered.

“Preliminary observations revealed that the victims had their hands tied and sustained multiple injuries, including machete cuts and blunt force trauma. Two residential huts within the settlement were set ablaze during the attack.”

The police spokesperson disclosed that investigators also discovered four dead cows within the settlement, while two other cattle had been slaughtered, with portions of the meat carted away by the assailants.

He said security operatives recovered sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat a short distance from the crime scene.

According to the Command, preliminary findings indicate that the attackers were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns and machetes.

Ikenga further revealed that one survivor escaped the attack unhurt and is already assisting investigators with useful information that could help identify the perpetrators.

“Further findings indicate that the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns, and machetes. One of the survivors of the attack escaped unharmed and is assisting the Police-led Joint Security Team with useful information in their investigation.”

The Police Command extended its condolences to the affected community through the Sarkin Fulani in Anambra State, assuring residents that every effort was being made to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.

“The Anambra State Police Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the residential community settlement in the State through the Sarkin Fulani. The Command is committed to conducting a thorough, professional, and intelligence-driven investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

The Command appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support ongoing security operations by volunteering credible and timely information that could aid the investigation.

Ikenga assured residents that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

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The Nigerian Navy under Operation DELTA SENTINEL has sustained operational control over known illegal refining hotspots in Riverst state, thereby thwarting repeated attempts to revive demolished refinery facilities.

The development is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Sunday in Abuja.

In the report, Folorunsho recalled that on July 10, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, PATHFINDER, discovered and deactivated illegal refining sites within the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.

He observed that despite the successful operation, criminal elements attempted to reactivate the sites, prompting sustained monitoring and follow-up anti-crude oil theft operations by the navy.

“During the latest operation, NNS PATHFINDER personnel rediscovered and deactivated two reactivated illegal refining sites, recovering approximately 76,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.

“They also recovered 50,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, concealed in seven dugout pits and reservoirs, bringing the total volume of recovered petroleum products to over 126,000 litres, ” he stated.

The director of naval information further said all illegal refining sites and recovered products were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.

The naval spokesperson restated the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure, protect critical national assets, and support Nigeria’s economic security.

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The teacher accused of flogging a 12-year-old boy to de@th at a school in Adazi-Enu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, has voluntarily reported to the Neni Police Station in the same LGA

The Anambra State Police Command disclosed this.

Mrs Dim Ebere, 47, from Adazi-Ani, was earlier said to be on the run after the boy reportedly di£d from injuries allegedly sustained during the flogging.

The police launched a manhunt for the suspect and has now revealed in a statement that she is in custody.

In a statement issued on Saturday, July 18, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect turned herself in following sustained manhunt operations by the command’s Safe School Protection Squad.

Ikenga said the operation was carried out in collaboration with officers of the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters and through continuous engagement with stakeholders and community leaders in Adazi-Ani.

He said the suspect is currently in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka, where the ongoing investigation will be concluded.

The statement read, “Following sustained manhunt operations by the Anambra State Police Command’s Safe School Protection Squad, in collaboration with officers of the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters, and continuous engagement with stakeholders and community leaders in Adazi-Ani, the principal suspect, Mrs Dim Ebere, aged 47, has voluntarily presented herself at the Neni Police Station.

“The suspect is currently in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, where the ongoing investigation will be concluded.

“The family of the deceased and members of the public are hereby assured that the Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served.

“The Command further urges members of the public to remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands, and continue to provide useful information that will aid ongoing investigations and other policing efforts across the state.”