Again, Gunmen Kill 2 At Anambra Church; Attack Wasn’t Inside Church, Says Police

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Sunday, August 13th, 2017

From Ignatius Okpara, Awka

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Barely a week unknown armed men attacked St. Philip’s Catholic Church Ozubulu, in Ekwusigo council area of Anambra state, South- East Nigeria, killing several worshippers, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar on Sunday confirmed the killing of a policeman and a civilian by hoodlums near the Assemblies of God Church located on the Oguta road Onitsha, in the State.

While Sources hinted that it was during attack on the church, that the policeman and the civilian were killed Umar, argued that the incident did not take place inside the church, but admitted that there was an attack by gunmen which claimed the life of his officer and one other person near the said church.

African Examine recalled that the Ozubulu incident occurred during an early morning mass last Sunday, being 6th, August 2017.

The Anambra State police boss, Umar, told newsmen that it was not an attack on the church, adding “My men were on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen. It was not an attack on the church, in the real sense of it”.

He however, confirmed that the hoodlums took away a rifle belonging to the slain police officer .

Our Correspondent aso recalled that former Anambra state governor, and incumbent Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, had on Saturday ,while leading a federal government delegation to commiserate with the government and people of the State over the Ozubulu massacre, said the Federal Government would work out modalities on how to secure places of worship in the Nigeria.

Sources, said the gunmen had briefly stopped at the Assemblies of God Church, but on sighting some policemen at the church, opened fire on them, and when the firing became too hot, the policemen abandoned their patrol vehicle and took off,

According to the Source, who craved anonymity, after the policemen ran away, the gunmen moved to the abandoned patrol van and took the rifle belonging to the policeman they shot dead .

The overpowered policemen were drafted to the church to provide security for the worshippers.