Fear of reprisal attack grips Ozubulu community

- Some residents of Ozubulu community express fear that a gang war could further endanger their lives following the attack on the St Philip’s Catholic Church

- An indigene of the community, Mr Calistus Ndukamma, says residents of the community have been living in fear since the attack on the church

- Chairman of Ekwusigo local government area, Ikenna Ofodeme, disagrees with the narrative that the killing was motivated by a feud between two drug lords

Residents of Ozubulu community where a gunman killed scores of worshippers at the St Philip’s Catholic Church have expressed fears that opposing gangs might retaliate over the killing of their relatives.

READ ALSO: Police make arrest in Ozubulu church attack

Speaking with This Day newspaper, some community residents said such a gang war could further endanger their lives.

An indigene of the community, Mr Calistus Ndukamma, who lives close to the church premises where the shooting occurred said residents of the community were still in shock and had been living in fear following the attack.

He said: “Those who witnessed what happened yesterday are still in shock, and we are still living in fear. Do you know that if you throw a knockout here, people will take to their heels?"

On his part, the chairman of Ekwusigo local government area, Mr Ikenna Ofodeme, disagreed with the narrative that the killing was motivated by a feud between two drug lords.

The council boss said the suspected drug lord, Mr Aloysius Ikegwuonu, who was the alleged target of the gunman left the community a day before the attack occurred.

He said: “Ikegwuonu was here, and for two days he played football with youths in the community and even gave out football boots to people. If it was he they needed, they would have come then and taken him.

“What I can say is that there may be a political undertone to this attack. Why is it coming now that election is coming? Remember that security is the biggest achievement of our governor and some politicians may be seeking to discredit him by doing this.

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“I believe that in the fullness of time the true story will be unveiled. The police are working and I believe they can do it. Saying that drug barons did this or did that is wrong because if it is true, then the police will just work on that, but it is not true."

Meanwhile, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has finally broken his silence a day after gunmen attacked the Catholic Church at Ozubulu, Anambra state reportedly killing many worshippers.

The Nigerian Police Force had announced that the attack was the result of a dr*g war that has existed for about three years and which reportedly started in South Africa.

Osinbajo, who condoled with family members of the deceased, said he had been receiving briefings concerning investigations into the crime.

He declared that the perpetrators must be made to face the consequence of their crime which was committed on Sunday, August 6.

Watch this video as family members of those attacked by the Badoo Cult group in Lagos speak:

Source: Legit.ng