There was outrage Sunday, following gunmen attack on a Catholic Church in Anambra State, which resulted in several deaths.
President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the Ozubulu Church attack, describing it as “an appalling crime against humanity and unspeakable sacrilege.”
Expressing his grief in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, President Buhari said “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.” While expressing his deep-felt sympathy with the families of the victims, the Church leadership and the government of Anambra State, President Buhari reassured all Nigerians of his administration’s firm and uncompromising commitment to protect their lives and property at all times.
On his path, SenatePresident, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, expressed deep sadness over the massacre that occurred at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Anambra State.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki stated that the killing of worshippers represents the purest kind of evil, and the security services must not stop until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“Today, my heart goes out to Nigeria’s Christian community, Governor Willy Obiano, the people of Anambra State, and the families of the victims and the survivors of this terrible massacre,” the Senate President said, “This brutal act of attacking innocent and unsuspecting worshippers represents the purest kind of evil.
“Our security forces must not stop until everyone involved in the orchestration and execution of today’s massacre in St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Anambra are brought to book by the strong arm of justice.
“The Senate will continue to offer any form of necessary assistance in this endeavor, because today, all of us, as Nigerians have been attacked by this senseless act committed by evil people”, Saraki stated.
He further urged security agencies in the country to step up their intelligence activities so as to prevent activities of criminals and also unravel any crime committed against Nigerians by undesirable elements in the society.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, described Sunday’s attack on worshippers in a Catholic church in Anambra state as abominable, barbaric, inhuman, and the height of wickedness.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said his heart is broken by the sad news of the massacre of innocent worshippers in cold blood by people he described as ” sons of perdition whose souls will rot in hell.”
“Have we lost our humanity? Where is the place of sanctity of life and sacredness of worship places in our society? What offence did the worshippers commit to warrant their massacre in cold blood by wicked souls and heartless men?”
The Speaker lamented that increasing insecurity is reducing Nigeria to the state of nature as life is increasingly becoming cheap.
He again reiterated his call for the overhaul of Nigeria’s policing architecture that will lead to reform of the Police Force, equip them with modern and sophisticated gadgets so as to discharge their duties of protecting lives and property effectively, and ensure social order in the society.
Dogara further called on security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the heinous crime and bring them to justice speedily.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to families of the victims, people and government of Anambra state, Nigeria and the Catholic Church over the sad and unfortunate incident.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige tasked security agents to urgently fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly killings.
In a condolence message to the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Dr. Hilary Odili Okeke, the Metropolitan Bishop of Onitsha, His Grace Dr. Valeria Okeke , the clergies and faithful, as well as the good people of Ozubulu, the minister described the killings as wicked, dastardly and unwarranted.
“This killing, so dastardly and so wicked is a dangerous dimension which is very alien to our people and culture. I therefore call on the police and other relevant security agencies to leave no stone unturned in tracking down the murderers and bringing them to justice.
“If justice is a virtue that observes the right of all, then, justice must be given to these innocent worshippers at any cost,” Ngige said.