The police in Anambra State say their detectives have traced key suspects in the August 6, 2017 church shootings in Ozubulu to South Africa.
The shooting in St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, resulted in 12 deaths.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar, confirmed that officers of the command had visited South Africa in continuation of investigations into the mass murder.
Umar stated this on Wednesday when some Ozubulu widows carried a protest to his office in Amawbia, near the capital Awka. He assured them that those involved in the killings will be fished out and punished.
“We have sent some of our men to South Africa to track major suspects, and we are working with the South African government in making sure that justice is done on the issue,” he said.
Umar said the witnesses in the case must be protected, adding that the Command is ready for anybody who wants to foment trouble in the area.
He said: “We are resolute, we are determined, we must make sure the community and its people are protected and we must go after anyone involved in this case, no matter how connected the person is.”
He asked the people to go about their normal business, adding that the Police are on top of the situation.
The Ozubulu widows had stormed the state police headquarters in Amawbia, demanding justice over the killings in the community.
Speaking through their leader, Mrs. Nonye Onwuzulike, the women told the police that witnesses in the matter are being threatened by unknown persons.
The police had earlier arraigned four suspects in connection with the Ozubulu killings.