Pope Francis is “deeply saddened” by Sunday’s gun attack on St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, the Vatican has said.
Twelve people were killed and over 40 injured in the morning mass gun attack.
A statement from a telegram by Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Bishop of Nnewi Hilary Paul Odili Okeke said: “Pope Francis is deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury following the violent attack in Saint Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu.
”His Holiness Pope Francis extends heartfelt condolences to you and to all the faithful of the Diocese of Nnewi, in particular the families of the deceased and all those affected by this tragedy.
“Upon the entire Diocese, His Holiness willingly invokes the divine blessings of consolation and strength.”
The Bayelsa State Government also joined other well-meaning Nigerians and groups in condemning the attack.
In a condolence message to the government and people of Anambra State, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Jonathan Obuebite described the incident as most disheartening, “shocking” and “barbaric”.
The statement said: “On behalf of the Restoration Government of Bayelsa State, the chiefs and peace-loving people of the state, I condemn in very strong terms the killing of innocent worshippers.”
The statement condoled with Governor Willie Obiano, the families of the dead, the Christian community as well as the government and people of the state.
An aide to Aloysius Ikegwuonwu, who is said to be the target of the gangsters, who attacked the parishioners, has denied the claim by Obiano and Police Commissioner Garba Umar, that the mayhem was as a result of a drug war.
The chairman of Ebubechukwuzo Foundation, Mr. Jovita Ofomata, said his boss was not a drug baron as alleged, but an estate developer and an importer of spare parts and beverages.
Ofomata, who runs the foundation on behalf of his principal, said his boss had never been involved in drug business or any other dirty deal.
He said the Foundation had taken care of indigent students in the area and built three churches, among others.
Speaking to reporters yesterday in Awka, Ofomata described the incident as a purely terrorist attack, which had nothing to do with disagreement over a business transaction between Ikegwuonwu or any other person as being alleged.
He said his principal, who lives in South Africa, was into estate development and importation of beverages and spare parts from China, adding that he had developed many estates in South Africa and had built many houses in Nigeria, some of which he sold.
Said Ofomata: “He has built three cathedral churches in the community and through the foundation, has assisted so many people, including granting scholarships to several indigent students and empowered several others in Ozubulu and elsewhere.”
Ofomata added that if his principal had been in any dirty deal in the past, why had nobody petitioned or complaint against him?
”What happened on Sunday left us in a state of confusion up till now. That incident is purely a terrorist attack. The information trending all over that Ebubechukwu is having a feud with somebody is completely false.
“People say he is a drug baron and that he took some money from some people who are now after him and so many other stories. This is a man I know very well and have been close to since our secondary school days. The entire allegation is confusing,” he said.
Also yesterday, the founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, gave security operatives seven days to fish out the perpetrators of the Ozubulu massacre or his commandos would take over the probe.
Uwazuruike said: “We cannot take this anymore since the security operatives cannot be able to protect lives and property of the people.
“How can this happen in Biafran land and those behind it left to go scot-free. It will not happen and let me remind you also that the gubernatorial election billed to take place in the state come November 18 this year must hold.”
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