Ozubulu Dev Union condemns Church incident

The Ozubulu Development Union (ODU), a Community-Based Organisation (CBO), has condemned Sunday’s killing at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra.

According to the police, 11 persons died while 18 others sustained injuries when a gunman attacked the Church in the early hours of the fateful day.

In a statement signed by Mr Iykebest Malizu, the President-General of the union, and made available to newsmen in Ozubulu, the group described the incident as “Senseless and brutal murder of worshippers.”

“With heavy heart and grief-laden emotion, the Ozubulu Development Union (ODU), Caretaker Committee, very strongly condemns the sacrilegious and deadly murder of our innocent men, women and children and infants.

“The taboo is both shocking and devastating to the entire community and beyond,” Malizu said.

He dismissed the story of communal problem being peddled in some quarters as the cause of the attack saying there was no communal problem in Amakwa-Ozoubulu.

The union enjoined the community to remain steadfast and more prayerful.

“On behalf of the town union, we thank all the men and women of good will, who assisted the victims to the hospital and the dead to the morgues for their immense care.

“We most sincerely appreciate and thank Gov. Willie Obiano for his prompt arrival at the scene of horror and his immediate and subsequent visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.

“We thank the governor for graciously willing to foot the medical bills of the injured 100 per cent as well as assist with the burial of the deceased.

“Ozoubulu people are still in heavy shock and presently occupied with assisting the survivors in the various hospitals,” he said.

The president-general said wounded persons in various hospitals are 26 persons while the dead bodies in various hospitals are 12.

He said one person was still missing and many others had yet to be enumerated, who escaped with minor injuries but were being treated at home.

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The union urged the police to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice, while pledging the community’s support and cooperation at all times.

In an interview, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Dr Chukwuka Ernest, expressed grief over the incident, wondering why such a dastardly act should happen in the house of God.