Crime
National Assembly, Gov Okowa condemn Anambra Catholic Church attack
The President of Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, and his House of Representative counterpart, Yakubu Dogara, have expressed deep sadness over the heinous killings of worshippers in a Catholic Church in Anambra state on Sunday.
St. Philip’s Catholic Church, was attacked by unidentified gunmen on Sunday during morning mass killing about eight people and injuring several others.
Although no one has claimed responsibilities over the killing, critics are of the view that the attack was religiously motivated.
Reacting to the dastard killing in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki expressed sadness saying “the killing of worshippers represents the purest kind of evil” but urged the security services to unearth those perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He added, “Today, my heart goes out to Nigeria’s Christian community, Governor Willy Obiano, the people of Anambra State, and the families of the victims and the survivors of this terrible massacre.
“This brutal act of attacking innocent and unsuspecting worshippers represents the purest kind of evil.
“Our security forces must not stop until everyone involved in the orchestration and execution of today’s massacre in St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Anambra are brought to book by the strong arm of justice.
On his part, Mr Yakubu Dogara, said the attack on worshipers in the church was “abominable, barbaric and inhuman, asking, “Have we lost our humanity?
Dogara made the remark in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan.
He said, “Where is the place of sanctity of life and sacredness of worship places in our society?
“What offence did the worshipers commit to warrant their massacre in cold blood by wicked souls and heartless men,” Dogara reiterated.
However, the Governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa, in Asaba while condemning the attack commiserated with the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, the government and people of Anambra State over Sunday’s church attack at Ozubulu leading to the death of several worshipers.
The Governor, who spoke through the Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, expressed sadness on the desecration of the temple of God and a place of worship.
He noted that the Church is a place of refuge which should be devoid of such attacks even during war situations.
“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.
On their part, All Progressives Congress (APC) also expressed shock at the level terrorism has gone in the country.
Condemning the killing at Ozobulu in Anambra State, APC in a statement signed by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the attack as “barbaric”.
The Party, therefore called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are promptly apprehended and brought to justice.
National Daily learnt that about eight people were killed and 18 others injured during the shooting at the St. Philips Catholic Church in Ozubulu located in Ekusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state, on Sunday morning.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, said the attack was as a result of a feud between two brothers from the community living outside Nigeria.