Home Blog Buhari, Dogara, Kalu, Wike, Okowa, Ikpeazu, Obi, Ngige, Uba, Uzoh, others mourn

Buhari, Dogara, Kalu, Wike, Okowa, Ikpeazu, Obi, Ngige, Uba, Uzoh, others mourn

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• Buhari, Dogara, Kalu, Wike, Okowa, Ikpeazu, Obi, Ngige, Uba, Uzoh, others mourn

Fury and condemnation have trailed yesterday’s killing of worshippers in a Catholic Church at Ozubulu, Anambra State, during Sunday mass.

Those who have reacted include President Muhammadu Buhari; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa; Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; ex-Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and Anambra State governorship aspirant and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Obinna Uzoh.

Buhari  described the Ozubulu church attack by a yet to be identified gunmen as “an appalling crime against humanity and unspeakable sacrilege.”

He stated that “there was no justification whatsoever to target church worshippers and kill them in cold blood.”

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,  Garba Shehu, Buhari  said, “this kind of atrocity plumbs the depth of depravity and extreme cruelty of the kind that words cannot adequately express.

“There is no religion that does not lay constant emphasis on the sanctity of life,” and that “all Nigerians must rise up and speak with one voice against these remorseless evil men.”

While sympathising with the families of the victims, the Church leadership and the government of Anambra State, President Buhari  reassured all Nigerians of his administration’s firm and uncompromising commitment to protect their life and property at all times.

Dogara described the attack as abominable, barbaric, inhuman and the height of wickedness.

The Speaker, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said his heart was broken by the sad news of the massacre of innocent worshippers in cold blood by people he described as “sons of perdition whose souls will rot in hell.”

He also said: “Have we lost our humanity? Where is the place of sanctity of life and sacredness of worship places in our society? What offence did the worshippers commit to warrant their massacre in cold blood by wicked souls and heartless men?”

The Speaker further described the increasing level of insecurity in the country, which he said was “reducing Nigeria to the state of nature as life is increasingly becoming cheap” as highly unacceptable.

He again reiterated his call for the overhaul of Nigeria’s policing architecture to lead to reform of the police and equip them with modern and sophisticated gadgets to discharge their duties of protecting life and property effectively, and ensure social order in the society. 

Ex-Abia State governor, Kalu, in a signed press statement by his Special Assistant, Mr. Peter Eze, said the attack was the worst form of barbarism and wickedness on South East soil.

He called on both the federal and state governments to get to the root of the attack and ensure that no such terror was visited on worshippers in any part of the country again.

According to him, worshippers should be free to worship God without fear of terrorist attacks.

He said those who masterminded the Ozubulu attack must be brought to book and judicially punished.

Kalu said: “News of an armed attack on worshippers at St. Philips Catholic Church in Ozubulu in Anambra State hit me with shock. As I send this, I still am unable to fathom the rationale behind such barbarism and clear wickedness.

“It is very depressing and no reasons justify such acts of terror. It is condemnable. It is wrong. It is uncalled for. We do not need further bloodshed in Nigeria.

“I urge the security agencies, federal and state governments and all local security apparatus to ensure that those behind this barbaric act, and their sponsors are exposed and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“We can’t continue like this. No one, no matter how highly placed, should get away with such acts.

“While I commiserate with families of victims of the attack and the Catholic Church in Anambra State, the state government and Nigeria at large, I also wish to call on all Nigerians to remain vigilant at all times and report suspicious movements around them to nearby vigilantes and police.”

Kalu also urged the Inspector-General of Police to beef up security around places of worship across the country to protect worshippers.

In his reaction, Uzoh described the massacre  as a surprise.

Speaking when he visited the scene with members of the Obinna Uzoh Foundation (OUF), Uzoh said the attack was “heartbreaking news,” saying the killing of worshippers was “the desecration of the house of God.”

On what he saw at the scene, Uzoh described it as “a gory sight to behold, with blood everywhere,” while describing the attack as  “sacrilegious and unacceptable.”

After condoling with the people present at the scene, Uzoh and his team went to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, to console the victims injured in the attack, who were receiving treatment.

He urged the authorities to “leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice and as well as take urgent and proactive steps to protect the lives and properties of the ordinary citizen.”

Ikpeazu expressed sadness over the shooting and sent his condolences to Governor Obiano, the government and people of the State.

In a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, Governor Ikpeazu called on security agents to fully investigate the incident and speedily bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We cannot afford to have criminal elements, in whatever guise, invade places of worship and unleash mayhem on innocent people. The thoughts and prayers of the good people of Abia State are with our brothers in Anambra State as we mourn with them over the sad incident,” he said.

In his reaction, former Governor Obi expressed shock and disbelief at what he called “mindless barbarism,” which he said was alien to Igbo people and should be condemned by all men of goodwill.

In a statement, Obi condoled with the immediate families of the deceased, the Ozubulu community, the Catholic Church and the entire state, describing the act as the “highest exemplification of barbarism.”

He noted that Igbo people were known for the respect for the sacredness of human life and advised that they must not allow the culture of violence and mindless killing to triumph among them.   

The former governor, who said he received the news with shock while he was in Lagos for a speech engagement, assured the Ozubulu community and the Catholic Church of his solidarity at this time of grief.

He said though he was not available in the state at the time the dastardly act took place, he asked his former Commissioner, Dr. Patrick Obi to visit the scene and report to him accordingly, noting that he was abreast with the incidence. He prayed to God to instill the culture of respect for human life in the people to avoid such mindless act in future.

The APC, on its part, has given marching orders to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ruling party described the attack as barbaric and callous, urging the authorities to fortify security around worship centres.

“The APC commiserates with the Catholic Church in Nigeria, the government and people of Anambra State over the attack on St. Phillips Catholic Church in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, which led to the death of scores of worshipers.

“The APC condemns the barbarism displayed by the callous attackers who gunned down defenceless people while they worshiped. The party calls on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are promptly apprehended and brought to justice. 

“The party also calls on security agents in Anambra as well as other parts of the country to provide adequate security in places of worship to forestall a repeat of this unfortunate incident,” Abdullahi said.

Governor Okowa condoled with his Anambra State counterpart in a statement yesterday, in Asaba, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu.

The governor condemned in strong terms the attack by gunmen leading to the death of several worshippers.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State, I commiserate with my brother, the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, the government and people of Anambra State over Sunday’s church attack at Ozubulu leading to the death of several worshippers,” the statement said.

Okowa expressed sadness on the “desecration of the temple of God,” adding that the church was a “place of refuge and devoid of attacks even in war situations.” 

He said: “This is tragic. The church is a place of refuge for all who run into it. This unwarranted attack and mindless bloodletting is not only wicked but barbaric and must be condemned by all good men of conscience.”

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike,  condoled with the government and people of Anambra State over the  killing. 

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, yesterday, Wike decried the  gruesome manner the gunman unleashed mayhem on innocent worshippers. 

While calling on security agencies to work towards bringing the culprits to justice, Governor Wike prayed God to grant the bereaved  families the strength  to bear the unfortunate  killing of their loved ones.

He also prayed God to heal those injured. 

Ngige, in his condolences to the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Dr. Hilary Odili Okeke, the Metropolitan Bishop of Onitsha, Dr. Valeria Okeke, their  clergies and faithful and the people of Ozubulu, described the killings as wicked, dastardly and unwarranted.

“This killing, so dastardly and so wicked is a dangerous dimension, which is  very  alien to our people and culture. I, therefore, call on the police and other relevant security agencies to leave no stone unturned in tracking down the murderers and bringing them to justice.

“If justice is a virtue that observes the right of all, then justice must be given to these innocent worshippers at any cost,” Ngige declared in a statement issued by his media assistant, Nwachukwu Obidiwe.

The senator representing Anambra South in the National Assembly and governorship aspirant, Dr. Andy Uba, called on the commissioner of police and the state governor to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book. He also visited the victims at Access Hospital, Ozubulu, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where he offered some financial assistance to help offset their medical bills.

He said the attack was a clarion call to all Anambrarians to play their individual part in maintaining the peace and unity of the state through community policing.

“Such acts cannot be tolerated in Anambra: for worshippers to be slaughtered during mass is something that we must not allow in this state. My heart goes out to the families of the deceased,” Uba said.

Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Oseloka Henry Obaze, who cut short his engagement in Awka and dashed to Nnewi and Ozubulu to visit the victims, said: “Our heart goes to the families and parishioners of St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra, where unidentified gunmen reportedly killed several church members and wounded several others early today.  Such violent incident dehumanizes our society.”

Civil Liberties Organisation, South East Zone said it was a wakeup call for all stakeholders in the society, including the church, to review their roles in inculcating morals and upholding the right values, instead of glorifying wealth acquired from questionable means.

The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafran Independent Movement (BIM), in a statement issued in Onitsha, called on Ndigbo to desist from killing their brothers for the sake of money.

MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, who spoke through the Anambra South zonal leader, Chief Arinze Igbani, regretted that wastage of the Igbo blood from different skirmishes in Nigeria has become too rampant.

Also commenting, the Nigerians Unite Against Terror condemned the attack.

In a statement by convener of the group, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, NUAT said the killing raised “scares of insecurity in Nigeria to high heavens, as we believe authorities can no longer pretend all is well.”

The group said it viewed the attack “as heinous and cowardly, as we want to reaffirm that terrorism is one of the most serious threats to our national peace and security.

“There is no justification whatever for any individual or group to resort to self-help, or killing of the innocents, including women and young children, in the course of settling whatever dispute, irrespective of whosoever is involved.”

While expressing sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Anambra State, the group demanded that everyone involved in the attack should be quickly brought to book, while enjoining the citizens, particularly members of the Ozubulu community, to cooperate with the security agencies and all other relevant authorities, to ensure the identities of the criminal elements were unraveled.

How gunman killed 11 in Catholic Church

… Shooting caused by feud between brothers living outside Nigeria

Ozubulu community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State hug the limelight, yesterday, but for the wrong reason. This followed the early morning attack at St Philip’s Catholic Church by a suspected gang member believed to be part of rival drug cartel.

The attack, which took place while the priest was rounding off  the first Mass of the day at about 6am, has turned the otherwise sleepy town  into a tourist centre overnight, even as the people mourn their dead and count their losses.

When the dare-devil gunman stormed the church premises, he reportedly went to the powerhouse and turned off electricity supply. While the parishioners were still wondering what was happening, he slipped into the church auditorium and sprayed it with bullets. By the time the booming guns were silent, not only was the altar of God defiled, many laid cold in their pool of blood.

Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar, in a press statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Nkiru Nwode, confirmed 11 persons died and 18 injured. However, unofficial reports put the casualty figure at over a score.

The dead and the living were later conveyed to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.

CP Umar said preliminary investigations revealed that the bloodbath was executed by a native of the area.

“From our findings, it is very clear that the person who carried the attack must be an indigene of the area.

“We gathered that worshippers for 6 o’clock Sunday Mass at St. Philip’s Ozobulu were in the service when a gunman, dressed in black attire and  covering his face with a cap, entered the church and moved straight to a particular direction and opened fire.

“The man, after shooting at his targeted victims, still went on a shooting spree, killing and wounding other worshippers.”

According to sources, yesterday’s attack was not an isolated case.

“There has been ongoing face-off between suspected cartel based in South Africa. Some persons were allegedly killed last year in South Africa. During the burial, members of the other gang came for revenge also. The gang fight has continued…So, don’t be deceived. This is a fallout of drug fight that stretches from South Africa among our boys. They came looking for one of their own,” the source said.

Governor Willie Obiano, who was at the scene, revealed that preliminary security investigations showed that the shooting was caused by a feud between two brothers from the community living outside Nigeria

“This is sacrilegious, totally unacceptable in Anambra State,” he said.

He asked the people to go about their businesses without fear or panic, noting that this isolated case must be followed to the root and perpetrators brought to book.

“We can’t allow this happen in Anambra; we must get everyone involved to face the music” the governor declared

Gov. Obiano also visited Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi where the injured are being treated.

The governor, who thanked the over 50 doctors looking after the injured, gave assurance that all medical bills would be taken care of by the state government.

Meanwhile, Daily Sun gathered that the attack was an alleged outcome of disagreement in business between two cabals based in South Africa, which has led to the death of some people earlier.

A source, which pleaded anonymity, said: “In fact, their matter has even been tried at the palace of our traditional ruler, but some people did not like how the matter was handled.

“In the last one year, about five persons from this community have been killed in South Africa. Even the manager of one of them was killed not too long ago. His Oga, the man who trained him, was also killed last year; the man just left for South Africa, after his Christmas celebration here. Within two weeks after he returned to South, he was killed.

“I don’t know why the people decided to kill innocent people in the church; even the person I learnt they came for has been so good to the people here. All these tarred road were done by him.”

At Bishops house, people were seen weeping for the death of one of the church topshot.

One of them said: “The policeman asked him when he was going in the morning and he said he should not worry because the church has security gaurds. By the time we heard the gunshot and got there they had gone. Baba was too good, but again if Baba was their target why did they kill innocent people after they had shot him. This is what is annoying me the most.”

Survivors speak

Some survivors of the gun attack said the incident happened like a thriller movie.

According to Anne Ejidike, who had a bullet wound, the 6am Mass was almost ending when the incident happened

“Father had finished sermon and asked everybody to stand up to say the creed; as we stood up and he blessed the people, we heard gunshots and immediately I saw the Father ran out the other way. He was the first to run because he was facing the side the shooting was coming from.

“When I turned my back, I saw a man in all black shooting sporadically.  I immediately fell on my stomach. It was after that I started feeling pains in my legs. But thank God the doctors have checked it and said no bullet is inside. Many people died. I counted about 12 and they said some died at the hospital.”

Another lady, Miss Ogochukwu Maduka, who was the first to come to the church as usual, said her escape was miraculous.

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