Anambra church killing: Police arrest 3 suspects

Three suspects linked to the Anambra church killings have been arrested.

It was reported that a gunman went into St Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Anambra State, opening fire,  killing and injuring worshippers.

According to The Nation, the suspects are said to be very wealthy but with no known source of income.

Police spokesman, Moshood Jimoh, who confirmed the arrest, however, declined to reveal the identities of the suspects.

 

Jimoh said the Police will not use the term ‘high-profile’ because they had violated the law and would, therefore, face it.

“The arrested suspects have no identifiable means of income and they completely have no explanation as to their means of livelihood,” Jimoh said.

“No doubt, when people do things relating to the offence of drug-running, they do not have a recognized means of livelihood.

“I would not want to say that they are ‘big men’ because anybody can claim to be big but once you commit a crime, even if people in the society say you are a big man, it is the duty of the police to hold you and take you before the law. The process is not a respecter of anyone’s social standing.

“They are leading us further in our investigation into the crime. What happened was a vicious and condemnable act in a place of worship. It is criminal and reprehensible to go and attack worshippers and kill people, no matter what issue prompted any feud.

“All the perpetrators of such crimes would definitely be arrested and prosecuted. I want to assure Nigerians that whether they are in Nigeria or any other country, the Nigeria police and Interpol will get them anywhere they are.

“We will get anybody who had a hand in committing this offence; anyone who participated in any way and anyone who gives custody to the perpetrator or hides him has flouted the law. Such a person would be culpable.

“The process of the law would be firmly followed without compromise towards ensuring that we bring the criminals behind the Ozubulu incident to justice.”

And welcoming the Presidential team led by Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige in Nnewi yesterday, Bishop Okeke hailed the federal government for responding promptly to the Ozubulu incident.

He said that the federal government had by the gesture, shown that it had the interest of all sections of the country at heart in spite of differences in religion, creed and political affiliations.

He said that the incident claimed the lives of 13 people, while 26 others sustained various degrees of injury.

The bishop said that the church had set up a trust fund to assist the victims, adding that government was free to add its own contribution.

Ngige said that the delegation was in the state to condole with the people and government of Anambra.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari was much concerned about the incident and that the government would bring the perpetrators to book.

He pledged that government “will do everything to track the perpetrators,” and pledged its commitment to the safety of Nigerians every where they reside.

They were scheduled to deliver to Governor Willier Obiano a letter of condolence from Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

Osinbajo, in the letter, commiserated with the families and friends of the victims, as well as the Ozubulu community for the loss and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He condemned in very strong terms the atrocious and dastardly act which he said has brought sorrow to many innocent families.

“Such barbaric act constitutes an affront to our common humanity and it challenges, but will not overwhelm our collective resolve to rid our communities of all forms of violent crimes and criminality,” he said.

Osinbajo said President Buhari’s administration remains committed to deploying all available resources towards ensuring adequate security of lives and property in Anambra State and across the entire country.

 

Comments (2)

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail