The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State Mr Garba Umar, has ruled out the possibility of a terror attack, and instead attributed the attack to an isolated feud between individuals in the community.
Umar, said this at a news conference in Awka on Sunday, gave the updated figures of casualties as 11 dead and 18 injured.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he said that the command would leave no turn unturned to bring the attackers on worshippers at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, by a gunman to justice.
The CP advised residents to go about their lawful businesses, assuring them that churches and public places were safe.
“The command, under my watch, will leave no stone unturned in locating and prosecuting those behind the massacre of innocent worshipers.
“The intelligence report and preliminary investigation showed that the incident was as a result of a feud between two individuals from the same community living outside Nigeria.
“One of the individuals built the church where the shooting occurred; it is definitely not a terrorist attack in the mould of Boko Haram or Fulani herdsmen attack.
“The command will brief the public after investigation is concluded; I commiserate with all those who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident.
“I also encourage `ndi’ Anambra to be vigilant and to promptly report suspicious movements or strange observation of persons and actions in their localities to the security agencies.” Umar said.
Similarly, he Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Anambra, has described Sunday’s attack on worshippers at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, by a gunman as regrettable.
The church, in a statement signed by Rev. Hygi Aghaulor, Director of Communications of the Diocese, and available to newsmen, said that the Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Jude Onwuaso escaped unhurt.
He described the act as a sign of loss of what is sacred and consoled the families of victims of the attack.
He also reiterated that instead of the strident attempts of evil and its cohorts, God and goodness would always triumph. Aghaulor also called for continuous prayers for the injured and families of the deceased worshipers.
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