Gunmen attack Catholic church in Anambra, killing 15, wounding 21
*Governor Obiano, Andy Uba, Dogara react
Gunmen early Sunday morning attacked St Philips Catholic Church AmaKwa Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State killing scores of people and wounding several others.
Though 15 people were confirmed dead some people say up to 50 might have been killed.
The victims were participating at the 6am Mass when the trigger happy men invaded the area and blocked the three entrances into the church and began shooting indiscriminately thereby causing commotion.
Governor Willie Obiano has visited the church and the Nnadi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital where over 50 doctors are battling to save lives of the injured persons.
It was gathered however that the priest of the church was not wounded in the incident.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Garba Umar, confirmed the incidence, adding that more details would be given after investigations.
In the meantime, Senator Andy Uba has condemned in strong terms the shooting and killings even as he said the people of Anambra were not known for such violence.
He called on the commissioner of Police and the state governor to ensure that the perpetrators of such dastardly act were brought to book.
Uba who was very emotional, also donated an undisclosed amount of money to add to the treatment of the victims.
Uba who visited the victims in the hospital said in a statement that, “Such acts cannot be tolerated in Anambra: for worshipper to be slaughtered during mass is something that we must not allow in this state.
“I call on the state governor and the commissioner of police to immediately swing into action to root out those who killed these innocent worshippers”.
“My heart goes out to the families of the diseased.
“Although it is a sad event, we must take solace that having been martyred in the church, the deceased would have gone to a better place,” he said.
In related development, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described the Sunday’s attack on worshippers in a Catholic church in Anambra state as abominable, barbaric, inhuman, and the height of wickedness.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said his heart is 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.”
“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 lamented that increasing insecurity is reducing Nigeria to the state of nature as life is increasingly becoming cheap.
He again reiterated his call for the overhaul of Nigeria’s policing architecture that will lead to reform of the Police Force, equip them with modern and sophisticated gadgets so as to discharge their duties of protecting lives and property effectively, and ensure social order in the society.
Dogara further called on security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the heinous crime and bring them to justice speedily.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to families of the victims, people and government of Anambra State, Nigeria and the Catholic Church over the sad and unfortunate incident.
