No fewer than 40 persons, including four soldiers, 14 policemen, two vigilantes and 19 herders were killed on Monday in fresh attacks by gunmen in Anambra, Imo, Kebbi, Rivers and Kebbi States.

They attackers invaded Ukpomachi village, Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State and reportedly killed 19 persons believed to be herders, killed 23 cows and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, South East Zone, Gidado Sidikki, said the 19 victims include children.

“As I speak to you now, the dead bodies are with us at Amasea community in Awka North local government area. Children between 1 and 2 years old, whose parents were killed in the attack, are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state”, Sidikki stated as reported by Daily Trust.

He, however, appealed to his members not to react but allow the police and other security agencies to do their work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the ungodly attacks.

But the spokesman of the state police command, Ikenga Tochukwu, said only nine people were killed, adding that investigation had commenced.

Bandits kill 9 policemen, 2 vigilantes in Kebbi

Bandits killed nine policemen, including a Divisional Police Officer as well as two vigilantes at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Sunday.

A resident of Sakaba told Daily Trust that the bandits invaded the villages on the fringes of the Kebbi State boundary.

He said on receiving information about the invasion, the DPO and eight other policemen as well as two vigilantes went after the bandits but were killed in a gun duel.

The spokesman of the state police command, Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the incident and said the bodies of the victims were retrieved on Monday.

4 soldiers killed in fresh Rivers attack

Four soldiers were feared dead while two others sustained bullet injuries on Monday in Abua, Abua/Odual local government of Rivers State when gunmen attacked a motorcade conveying oil workers to Omelema.

Residents of the area said the gunmen ambushed the company’s vehicle conveying the staff of the company to a flow station in the community.

Daily Trust reports that gunmen had on Saturday night attacked several security checkpoints in Isiokpo and Omagwa, killing soldiers, police and customs personnel on guard along the stretch.

The spokesman of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major Charles Ekeochas, did not respond to a text message sent to him on the issue.

However, the spokesman of the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident, but could not give details.

5 officers killed, 1 missing as gunmen attack Imo police station

Gunmen on Monday attacked the Okigwe South Police Area Command headquarters in Imo State and killed five officers.

One other officer was said to be missing after the attack which happened at about 7 pm.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident.

In a terse statement, Ikeokwu said: “I  can confirm an attack on Okigwe South area command headquarters  by yet-to-be identified gunmen. Five officers have been killed; while one  is yet to be accounted for.”

Ikeokwu said that the building was not razed contrary to speculation.

The incident happened less than 24 hours after soldiers shot a student opposite the Imo Government House.