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Gov. Willie Obiano, in cap speaking with the priests of St Philip Catholic Church, Ozubulu

By Peter Okolie/Ozubulu

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has visited St Philip Catholic Church,Ozubulu, where a gunman killed no fewer than eight persons and injured 18 others.
According to the Police Commissioner in the state, Garba Umar, the gunman extended to the church a quarrel between indigenes of the town,that started outside the shores of Nigeria.
Obiano, in company of Umar, vowed not to rest until perpetrators of the killings are brought to book.
The governor, who expressed grief over the death of the worshippers, described the incident as “barbaric, sacrilegious and totally unacceptable.”
He debunked the speculations that the attack was a possible invasion of any kind.
According to him, intelligence report has connected the shooting to a feud existing between some members of Umuezekwe Ofufe Amakwa community of Ozubulu living abroad.
“It is an isolated case and I urge worshippers in the Church and residents of the area to go about their normal activities.”
Obiano, who assured the community that his administration was on top of the situation, later visited the injured persons who are receiving treatment at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.
He promised that the state government will pay all the hospital bills of the victims. He also said that 50 doctors had been mobilised to the hospital to assist in providing the best medical care to the injured persons.
The governor also visited the Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Nnewi, where he addressed the congregation.
He told the worshippers about the Ozubulu incident, saying there was nothing to worry about.
The Parish priest of St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Jude Onwuaso said the shooting occurred at about 6.30 a.m. during the Holy Mass celebration.
According to the priest, an unidentified man came into the Church, shot at a man before shooting sporadically at other worshippers.
A witness, who simply identified herself as a choir member, said the gunman left immediately into a waiting car with a driver. (NAN)