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 on Sunday.
President Buhari said that “there was no justification whatsoever to target Church worshippers and kill them in cold blood.’’
He said this kind of atrocity “plumbs the depth of depravity and extreme cruelty of the kind that words cannot adequately express.’’
According to the President, there is no religion that does not lay constant emphasis on the sanctity of life, and that “all Nigerians must rise up and speak with one voice against these remorseless evil men.’’
The President expressed his deepest sympathy 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 protect their lives and properties at all times.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that police in Anambra on Sunday confirmed that a gunman killed 11 worshippers and injured 18 others in an early morning attack on St. Philip Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Garba Umar, told newsmen that the remains of the dead had been deposited at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi.
He said the police had launched a manhunt on those behind the act and gave an assurance that everybody behind the act would be brought to justice.
Umar described any insinuation that the attack was carried out by Boko Haram elements as false and urged the people to go about their normal businesses.
He said the police were on top of the situation.’’(NAN)