The Sunday devastating attack on the St.
Phillip’s Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Anambra State, has left many
families bereaved in the state, while a large number of Nigerians on
Monday continued to express their displeasure.
Phillip’s Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Anambra State, has left many
families bereaved in the state, while a large number of Nigerians on
Monday continued to express their displeasure.
This is coming as the death toll rose to 12 on Monday, while those injured climbed to 40 from 18.
The state Governor, Willie Obiano, in a
Monday broadcast, described the attack as a gang war “imported into the
Anambra State from abroad.”
Monday broadcast, described the attack as a gang war “imported into the
Anambra State from abroad.”
One of the families affected is the Obunadikes, whose member, Joel Obunadike, lamented the death of three members.
He told one of our correspondents that
his sister-in-law, the baby girl she was nursing, and his uncle lost
their lives in the attack.
his sister-in-law, the baby girl she was nursing, and his uncle lost
their lives in the attack.
Obunadike said, “I lost my uncle and my
brother’s wife, as well as her baby girl. My brother’s wife was
cuddling the baby when a bullet pierced through her back. The bullet
killed her and the baby.
brother’s wife, as well as her baby girl. My brother’s wife was
cuddling the baby when a bullet pierced through her back. The bullet
killed her and the baby.
“We are still in shock. That’s all I can say for now.”
Also, it was gathered that one of the wives of the slain father of bishop (Aloysius Ikegwuonu, the alleged drug baron), Mrs. Caroline Ikegwuonu, was hit and had been admitted to a hospital in the area.
When The PUNCH sought her comment, she said, “Please I can’t talk now. I’m still in shock. Please leave me alone.”
Another victim, Samuel Ndulue, whose
legs were shattered in the attack, said, “I was in the church, but
before the sermon started, I heard a gunshot that sounded like a banger.
legs were shattered in the attack, said, “I was in the church, but
before the sermon started, I heard a gunshot that sounded like a banger.
“When I looked up I saw one man with a
gun. I tried to escape from the east end of the church; but before I
could do so, my two legs were shattered by bullets.
gun. I tried to escape from the east end of the church; but before I
could do so, my two legs were shattered by bullets.
“I was later told that the gunman jumped
into a vehicle after accomplishing his mission. I can’t understand the
reason for the attack,’’ Ndulue stated.
into a vehicle after accomplishing his mission. I can’t understand the
reason for the attack,’’ Ndulue stated.
A nurse at the Accident and Emergency
Unit of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, who spoke to one of
our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said four of the injured
persons brought to the hospital on Sunday died on Monday while six had
been referred to another hospital.
Unit of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, who spoke to one of
our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said four of the injured
persons brought to the hospital on Sunday died on Monday while six had
been referred to another hospital.
She said,” Four of them couldn’t make
it, including a baby. Twenty two injured persons are still with us and
they are responding to treatment,” the nurse added.
it, including a baby. Twenty two injured persons are still with us and
they are responding to treatment,” the nurse added.
The Public Relations Officer of NAUTH, Chris Ngige, also told The PUNCH
on Monday that 20 of the victims were on admission in the hospital,
adding that four corpses had been deposited in the hopsital’s morgue.
on Monday that 20 of the victims were on admission in the hospital,
adding that four corpses had been deposited in the hopsital’s morgue.
He said, “The four that we have in our
mortuary died on the way to the hospital yesterday (Sunday). There are
many mortuaries in Nnewi, so the remaining corpses could have been
deposited in them.
mortuary died on the way to the hospital yesterday (Sunday). There are
many mortuaries in Nnewi, so the remaining corpses could have been
deposited in them.
“We also have 20 other victims who have
been admitted to our hospital. They are in a stable condition and they
are responding to treatment.”
been admitted to our hospital. They are in a stable condition and they
are responding to treatment.”
The Chairman of the Ekwisigo Local Government Area, Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme, said the casualty toll of the attack had increased.
He said, “The death toll has risen from 11 to 12, while the number of those who sustained injuries had gone up from 18 to 40.”
He said 27 victims were still receiving treatment at NAUTH.
The state governor, in a radio and television broadcast, said such an attack would not happen in the state again.
He said, “We are dealing with a gang war
that has spilled over to Anambra State from another African country.
But this is the last time it will happen under my watch.
that has spilled over to Anambra State from another African country.
But this is the last time it will happen under my watch.
“With a sorrowful heart, I stand before
you today to brief you on the tragic killing of 12 people at St.
Philip’s Catholic Church, Amakwa, Ozubulu, on Sunday.
you today to brief you on the tragic killing of 12 people at St.
Philip’s Catholic Church, Amakwa, Ozubulu, on Sunday.
“First, I want to assure you all that
what happened in Ozubulu was a tragic dimension of a long battle between
two business partners who are from the same town.
what happened in Ozubulu was a tragic dimension of a long battle between
two business partners who are from the same town.
“I have been fully informed that this
dangerous conflict has been going on for a while in the country where
they both live outside Nigeria before they decided to bring the conflict
home. But let me assure you that Anambra is too hot for them to
operate.”
dangerous conflict has been going on for a while in the country where
they both live outside Nigeria before they decided to bring the conflict
home. But let me assure you that Anambra is too hot for them to
operate.”
He urged the residents to go about their
normal business, adding, “What happened in Amakwa, Ozubulu, is an
isolated case. It will not happen again.”
normal business, adding, “What happened in Amakwa, Ozubulu, is an
isolated case. It will not happen again.”
The Anambra State Commissioner of
Police, Mr. Garba Umar, told our correspondent on the telephone that the
command had made some arrests in respect of the attack.
Police, Mr. Garba Umar, told our correspondent on the telephone that the
command had made some arrests in respect of the attack.
He said, “We won’t give the number of persons arrested in order not to jeopardize our investigation.”