The Bayelsa State government has joined several other Nigerians and groups in condemning last Sunday’s shooting incident at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In a condolence message to the government and people of Anambra, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, on behalf of the government, described the incident as most disheartening, shocking and barbaric.
The government noted that the Dickson Seriake-led administration condemned the criminal action in its entirety.
The statement reads in part, ”On behalf of the Government of Bayelsa State, the chiefs and peace loving people of the state, we condemn in very strong terms the killing of innocent worshippers last Sunday at the St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State”
”We condole with Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, the families of the dead, the entire Christian community as well as the government and people of the state.”
While commending the Anambra State Government and police for the steps so far taken to bring the perpetrators to book, the government called for greater vigilance on the part of the law enforcement agencies to check future occurrences.
Similarly, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) also condemned Last Sunday killing of about 11 worshippers inside Saint Philip’s Catholic Church, demanding immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits.
In a statement in Lagos by Founder and President of OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, the group described the massacre as shameful and sacrilegious.
“The killing of these innocent worshippers is one incident too many,” he said. “Happening in that serene rural environment, it demeans all Nigerians. It shows that nowhere in this country is safe. There is total breakdown of law and order in Nigeria as a whole.”
He urged investigators to solicit the assistance of the International Police.
“Perpetrators must be speedily brought to book. If there is an international connection to this callousness, as Governor Willie Obiano and the Commissioner of Police have said, then the assistance of Interpol must be solicited in order to extradite those concerned back to Nigeria for investigation, prosecution and conviction.
OPC commiserated with the Ozubulu community and the families who lost their beloved in the dawn attack.