ABUJA (Reuters) - Gunmen killed 11 people and wounded 18 others in a church in southeastern Nigeria on Sunday in an attack arising from a feud between members of the local community, officials said.

A still image taken from a video uploaded by CHANNELS TV on August 6, 2017, shows St. Philips Catholic Church in Anambra, Nigeria. CHANNELS TV via Reuters TV

However, police believe that a man the gunmen were hunting for was not present in the church and so escaped the attack.

The attackers struck the church in Ozubulu early in the morning, said Garba Umar, head of police in Anambra state.

They were believed to have been trying to kill a local man, who was not identified by the authorities.

“The gunmen came thinking that their target was in the church but incidentally he was not,” Umar said, adding that the violence may be linked to drug-trafficking.

No arrests have been made, he said.

Nigeria’s southeast is predominantly Christian and the attack is a rare act of violence at a church.

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano said the attack stemmed from a feud between members of the local community who were living outside Nigeria.

“We are not going to relent until we bring those that perpetrated this heinous crime to book,” he said.

Nigeria is wracked by insecurity, with Islamist insurgency Boko Haram having killed more than 20,000 people since 2009, sparking one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

Ethnically-charged violence is common throughout the central states and militancy is a constant threat in the oil-rich southeast.</s>There is tension in Anambra State following reported death of over 50 worshipers as gunmen launched early morning attack during a Sunday service. The attack occurred at ‎St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ugwu Oye in Ozubulu, Anambra State. News of the reported attack, which is being shared in various platforms read: “Black Sunday!! Many feared killed […] BREAKING: Scores killed as gunmen attack worshipers in Anambra church‎ [VIDEO] Read Full Story</s>(Intersociety Nigeria, 8th August 2017)-More facts emerging from today’s shooting and killing of 20 or more innocent and defenseless parishioners at St Philips Catholic Church in Ozubulu Community, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State have compelled us to issue this second and updated statement.

Police side: As expected, the Anambra State Police Command just hours ago falsely claimed that “only eight persons were killed in an attack carried out by a gunman in a shooting resulted from a drug gang war between two bothers from the same town (Ozubulu) that are living outside the country”. We firmly hold that the said Police angle is riddled with a litany of lies and contradictions.

The Anambra State Police Command is, therefore, called upon to answer the following questions: What is a criminal/drug gang? Can an individual or a gunman constitute a criminal/drug gang? Who massively killed and maimed dozens of parishioners; a gunman or gunmen? Can a lone gunman embark on such assassination operation or reprisal killing? Since the State CP admitted that it was a drug gang war, are there no previous casualties and violent parties involved? He did the CP get his mangled casualty figure of eight deaths and how many were injured? What about the father of the escaped target victim? Was he not killed alongside others inside the Church or did he survive?

Alleged involvement of the present Governor/Government of Anambra State: The Governor/Government of Anambra State should provide answers to the following questions: Is the said escaped victim of the failed assassination (Mr. Aloysius Ikegwuonu/alleged drug baron) known to the Governor/Government of Anambra State? Is his source of income also known or not known to the same Governor/Government of Anambra State? Was there a time in the months past that the Governor/Government of Anambra State visited to Ozubulu to commission a road built by him? Was there also a time the same Governor/Government visited him to commission St Philip Catholic Church built by him? Is it known or not known to the Governor/Government of Anambra State that the troublesome/questionable billionaire flew back to South Africa last night? Have the present Governor of Anambra State not visited Ozubulu up to four times at the instance of Mr. Aloysius Ikegwuonu?

Was the Governor/Government of Anambra State aware or not aware of the reprisal threat by members of Mr. Ikegwuonu’s rival drug gang working for an Mbaise man from Imo State to revenge for the killing in South Africa of their members by gang members loyal to the said Bishop Ebubechukwu of Ozubulu; to the extent of vowing not to stop until they kill 200 indigenes of Ozubulu and Bishop Ebubechukwu himself in revenge? Is it correct to say that the Governor/Government of Anambra State recently made Mr. Aloysius Ikegweonu (Bishop Ebubechukwu-Uzo) a political leader in Ozubulu? Was the Government of Anambra State involved in the relocation from South Africa to Nigeria (Ozubulu) of Mr. Ikegweonu where he was alleged to have abruptly relocated few years ago so as to escape justice?

The Catholic Church of Nnewi Diocese has the following questions to answer: Who built St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa, Ozubulu? What is the builder’s source of income and is it not known to the Diocese? Is it not correct to say that the Church building in question is a house of Satan with Satanic well filled or flooded with the blood of the murdered innocent people and shepherded by the hands of iniquities? Where are the Catholic moral values and dogmas? Between Heaven and Hell Fire, who expressly receive all the prayers and offerings made inside the Church building and altar of St Philips Catholic Church at Amakwa, Ozubulu? Can the Catholic Church morally and legally be exonerated from culpability over today’s massacre at St Philips Catholic Church building at Ozubulu?

Signed:

Emeka Umeagbalasi

For: Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety)</s>President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday condemned the Ozubulu Church attack in Anambra State by a gunman.

Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, described the incident as “an appalling crime against humanity and unspeakable sacrilege.”

The president expressed grief over the attack, saying “there was no justification whatsoever to target Church worshipers and kill them in cold blood.”

The president sympathized with the families of the victims, the church leadership and the government of Anambra State.

He reassured all Nigerians of his administration’s ‘firm and uncompromising commitment” to protecting their lives and property at all times.

Saraki in a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that the killing of worshipers represents the purest kind of evil, and the security services must not stop until the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Dogara in a statement by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, said his heart was broken by the sad news of the massacre of innocent worshipers in cold blood by people he described as “sons of perdition whose souls will rot in hell.”

Also, Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu described the killing of the worshipers as sacrilegious.

He said: “I received with a deep grief the news of the blood-curdling killing at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu today. It is indeed a black Sunday and the act is most sacrilegious and condemnable.”</s>(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The entire Ozubulu community in Ekwusigo council area of Anambra state, South- East Nigeria, has been thrown into mourning , as unknown gunmen stormed St. Philips Catholic Church, in the area in the early hours of Sunday during mass, killing dozens of worshippers.

An eyewitness said the gunmen stormed the church during the 5:45 am mass and identified a particular man alleged to be a drug baron, and shot him.

According to the Source, after opening fire on the man, the gunmen later went on a rampage as they started shooting at the remaining worshipers numbering over 100.

It was gathered that no fewer than 40 worshippers were killed in the church, while others who sustained various degrees of injuries died on the way to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.

The source, said the officiating priest of the mass was not wounded in the attack.

Meanwhile, the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar, has confirmed the barbaric act ,saying more details would be made public after investigations.

Our Correspondent reports that tension has enveloped the community and environ.

As at the time of this report, the Anambra state government has not made any official statement on the incident

Meanwhile, Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, has visited the scene of the massacre.

He equally met with priests of the attacked church and victims families, after which he visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi where the injured were taken to.

Obiano described the act as barbaric, assuring that the perpetrators cannot go unpunished .</s>A Special Broadcast by the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano on the St Phillips Catholic Church Killings at Ozubulu on August 7, 2017.

With a sorrowful heart, I stand before you today to brief you on the tragic killing of 12 people at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa, Ozubulu yesterday.

First, I want to assure you all that what happened in Ozubulu yesterday 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 here, going forward.

This explanation, I believe, has erased the fears that the incident may have been caused by either some terrorist organizations or some members of some groups of agitators in the country. Brothers and sisters, what happened in Ozubulu was neither a terror attack as we know it, nor a violent action by some agitators. We are dealing with a dangerous 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!

Fellow citizens, I want to assure you that we are on top of this situation. We are completely in charge here. The people directly and remotely involved in this crime are known to the law enforcement agencies. But no suspect, no matter how highly placed, is above the law. So, we have taken bold steps to bring them to book and restore the peace and tranquility that Anambra State has enjoyed since the past three years.

Sincerely, there is no cause for fear or alarm here. Anambra state is safe. Our churches and places of worship are safe. So, our people should not be discouraged from going to church to serve their God because what happened in Amakwa, Ozubulu is an isolated case. It will not happen again! Ndi Anambra should continue to sleep with both eyes closed because we are staying awake for them. In the words of Wendell Philips, the American abolitionist and liberal activist, “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” We have chosen to stay awake that Anambra may find sleep! I repeat, never again will this type of bloodshed happen in Anambra State under me!

Ndi Anambra, in all our 25-year history, never has a single act of senseless violence consumed so many lives. I strongly condemn this wanton killing of our fellow citizens who left their loved ones in the early hours of Sunday morning to worship their God. I condemn the senseless violation of sacred places of worship by people to whom neither man nor God is worthy of respect or honour. I condemn these people who did not think twice before placing such a heavy burden on our humanity!

All the shadowy characters behind this crime shall account for it. This is the first and the last of this appalling crime!

Fellow citizens, I call on you today, to join hands with me to rid our society of all vestiges of crime and criminality. Nothing else can stand in the way of accelerated development as crime does. We are familiar with this fact in Anambra State. That is why we have fought tooth and nail to usher in the long period of peace we have enjoyed in Anambra State.

To our numerous friends and partners, I want to assure you that Anambra is still Nigeria’s safest state. Indeed, the Ozubulu killings have only strengthened our commitment to create a safer, business-friendly and prosperous state. We remain focused on our Vision and Mission to this great state. No amount of threats or wholesale destructions can shake our commitment to these ideals.

Ndi Anambra, I have declared today a Day of Mourning in honour of our brothers and sisters that were slain yesterday. We shall observe a minute of silence in their honour at 12 noon today and special prayers shall be offered for them in churches and prayer houses across Nigeria and in the Diaspora. We have also opened a Condolence Register for them in the Government House.

Finally, for the 18 survivors of this carnage who are nursing different injuries in the hospital, my administration shall pick up all their medical bills. I have visited them at the hospital to ascertain their recovery rate. I have also dispatched 50 additional medical doctors to the hospital to ensure that they have access to the best medical care possible. Indeed, all hands must be on deck to save more lives.

At this juncture, I want to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari who called me last night from London to commiserate with Ndi Anambra on this tragic incident. I must also thank the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who also called last night to condole with us. My gratitude goes to everyone who has called my Team and I to say a soothing word since this incident happened. Your calls have re-affirmed my belief that we are one people under God! It has strengthened my faith in the unity of this country.

Anambra State has survived incredible odds in our modest history. This too shall pass!</s>The governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has reacted to the killing of innocent worshippers of St Phillips Church in Ozubulu, Anambra state on Sunday.

The governor described the incident as devilish in a series of tweets on Monday.

There was serious tension in Anambra State yesterday as a gunman stormed the church and sent many worshipers to their early grave.

Fayose wrote, “I commiserate with the Catholic Church, govt & people of Anambra State as well families of victims of the wicked and devilish killings.

“Boko Haram in NE, Badoo in Lagos, herdsmen across the country, ritual killers everywhere, and now drug war, what’s wrong with us as a people?

“It is time for us as a nation to have another look at our moral values. Where did we get it so wrong that we now kill one another at will?

“On this heartless murder of Nigerians at Ozubulu, Anambra State, police and other security agencies must carry out thorough investigation.

“Killing fellow human beings is devilish, not to talk of killings in the house of God. I condemn the Ozubulu murder in its entirety.”</s>Tragedy struck in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday) in Amankwo Community, Ozubulu town, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra as a group of unidentified, masked gunmen invaded St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu and shot dead at least eleven worshipers and injured many others, some in critical condition.

Eyewitness accounts said the gunmen went into the church during the 6am mass, identified a particular man and shot him before turning their gun on other worshippers numbering not less than 100.

Both the dead and the injured had since been moved to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar, who confirmed the incident explained that preliminary investigations by the force showed that the attack was carried out by a native of the community.

“From our findings, it is very clear that the person who carried the attack must be an indigene of the area. “We gathered that worshippers for 6 o’clock Sunday mass at St. Philip Ozobulu were in the service when a gunman dressed in black attire covering his face with a cap entered the church and moved straight to a particular direction and opened fire. “The man after shooting at his targeted victims still went on a shooting spree, killing and wounding other worshippers,’’ Umar said.

He further noted that the attacker was speaking fluent Igbo Language, dismissing earlier suggestions that it may have been carried out by Boko Haram terrorists.

The State governor, Chief Willie Obiano who visited the scene of the incident and later addressed residents of the state, also suggested that the attack was carried out by sons of the community, and was a case between two of the community’s sons who live abroad.

He promised that his government will take care of the hospital bill of the injured while assuring that the perpetrators must be brought to book.

Business Hallmark learnt that the attack was as a result of a rift between two sons of the community based in South Africa, which had dragged for about three years.

It was revealed that not less than 30 people had been killed in South Africa as a result of the case over the past three years and that one of the principal actors, one Alloysius Ikegwuonu alias Bishop who now spends most of his time in Nigeria was the key target of the attack.

It was also learnt that there had been calls for the community leaders as well as the church to intervene in the conflict, but nothing was done.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has condemned the attack, describing it as “abominable, barbaric, inhuman, and the height of wickedness.”

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and 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, and questioned if humanity had been lost.

He called on security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the crime and bring them to justice as speedily as possible.

Similarly, a pro-democracy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the attack while knocking security agencies for failing to protect the lives of innocent worshippers, and other coordinated attacks in the state.

In a statement by its National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, the group said it was unacceptable that humongous budgetary releases are made towards maintaining armed security forces in Nigeria but when the occasion calls for the operatives to exercise their lawful obligations of safeguarding the lives and property of citizens they are found wanting.

“We in the Human Rights community are indeed shocked and disappointed that with all the security votes spent in buying vehicles for the Nigeria Police and other security forces that this type of brazenly murderous atrocities can happen and the perpetrators were neither stopped from carrying out their dastardly crime nor were they arrested so as to prosecute and punish them severely for these grave crime against humanity. Anambra State governor must ensure that those who planned and executed this massacre in Ozubulu are arrested, prosecuted swiftly and decisively punished to serve as deterrent. By the way why is Anambra state not secured additionally by armed vigilante similar to the civilian joint task force that exists in some states even when billions are expended as security votes yearly?”.</s>President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the Ozubulu Church attack in Anambra State by a yet to be identified gunmen, describing the incident as “an appalling crime against humanity and unspeakable sacrilege.” The President expressed his grief in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja onRead More The post Anambra Church attack unspeakable sacrilege, says Buhari appeared first on The Nation Nigeria. Read Full Story</s>Unknown gunmen Sunday morning invaded St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State and opened fire on worshippers who had attended the morning mass.

THISDAY gathered that about 47 persons were killed in the attack, with several others wounded and are already being attended to at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital(NAUTH), Nnewi.

THISDAY gathered that the death toll is still on the increase as some injured victims are said to have also relapsed to death.

It was gathered that the gunmen had stormed the church in search of a drug baron after visiting his house, but were not lucky as their target had fled on getting wind of their presence.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Umar Baba Garba, has debunked reports of the number of deaths, saying that only eight people died in the attack, while 18 others were injured. He also said that the report that the men came in their number was untrue, saying that only one gun man carried out the attack.

Garba assured Nigerians that the police were still investigating the matter and that all was under control.
Gunmen kill 11 worshipers in St Phillip's Catholic Church in the town of Ozubulu in Nigeria's Anambra State.