Anambra church shooting: Police arrest suspects

The Anambra State Police Command has said it has arrested some of the suspects involved in the ghastly murder of innocent worshippers at St. Philips Catholic church Ozubulu.

The spokesman for the command, Nwode Nkeiruka confirmed this to THECABLE on Monday. 

While refusing to reveal the identities of the suspects, the spokesman said that the suspects were arrested on Monday. “This is a very sensitive investigation so you people (journalists) have to help us,” she was quoted as saying. “As soon as the investigation is
concluded, we will let the public know. But as far as I’m concerned, it definitely has nothing to do with terrorists. It’s just a conflict between individuals.” No fewer than 35 worshippers were killed scores injured. It was learned that trouble started for worshippers who were in church for the 6:00am Mass, when at about 6:45am, the gunmen rode into the church in a Lexus SUV, as one of them entered the church and shot at close range an elderly man, later identified as Pa Ikegwuonu, while others remained in the vehicle outside.

It was gathered that the gunmen were looking for his son, Aloysius, who was said to have returned to the village on Saturday and left later in the day. According to a source, the gunmen had thought  he was in the church and had wanted to deal decisively with him over a yet-to-be ascertained business deal. How it happened — Witness A survivor, Mr. Stephen Ohamadike, told Vanguard at the church premises that the gunmen entered the church around 6.45am as they were about to begin prayer of the faithful. He said: “Those of us who were to say the prayers of the faithful had just assembled at the altar and I had Number 2 which meant that I was to say the prayer for Nigeria.