President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has expressed deep sadness over the massacre that occurred at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Anambra State on Sunday.
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.
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described Sunday’s attack on worshippers in a Catholic church in Anambra state as abominable, barbaric, inhuman, and the height of wickedness.
Scores of worshippers were murdered by gunmen inside a Catholic church in Ozubulu in Anambra State. The shooting is said to have occurred during church service while worshipers were still inside the church building on Sunday morning.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & 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 Catlic Church over the sad and unfortunate incident.
Equally, former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has condemned the gun attack on worshippers at a Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Anambra State.
Speaking in a signed press statement by his Special Assistant, Mr Peter Eze, Dr. Kalu said the attack is the worst form of barbarism and wickedness on Southeast soil.
He called on both the Federal and State governments to get to the root of the attack and ensure that no such terror is visited on worshippers in any part of the country.
According to him, worshippers should be free to worship God without fear of terrorist attacks.
He said those who masterminded the Ozubulu attack, must be brought to book and judicially punished.
“News of an armed attack on worshippers at St.Philips Catholic Church in Ozubulu in Anambra State hit me with a shock. As I send this, I still am unable to fathom the rationale behind such barbarism and clear wickedness.
“ It is very depressing and no reasons justify such act of terror. It is condemnable. It is wrong. It is uncalled for. We do not need further bloodshed in Nigeria.
“I urge the security agencies, Federal and state governments and all local security apparatus to ensure that those behind this barbaric act, and their sponsors, are exposed and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“ We can’t continue like this. No one, no matter how highly placed, should get away with such acts.
“ While I commiserate with families of victims of the attack and the Catholic Church in Anambra State,the state government and Nigeria at large, I also wish to call on all Nigerians to remain vigilant at all times and report suspicious movements around them to nearby vigilantes and Police”, he said.
Dr. Kalu also urged the Inspector General of Police to beef up security around places of worship across the country so as to protect worshippers.
In its reaction to the incident, the All Progressives Congress (APC) commiserated with the Catholic Church in Nigeria, the government and people of Anambra State over the attack on St. Phillips Catholic Church in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, which led to the death of scores of worshipers.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who signed the statement said APC condemns the barbarism displayed by the callous attackers who gunned down defenceless people while they worshiped.
The Party called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are promptly apprehended and brought to justice.
APC also urged security agents in Anambra as well as other parts of the country to provide adequate security in places of worship to forestall a repeat of this unfortunate incident.
“We pray that the souls of the deceased rest in peace,” APC said.
