Confusion as gunmen kill policeman, civilian in another Anambra church attack

There is palpable fear in the South eastern part of Nigeria following a fresh attack by unknown gunmen at an Assemblies of God Church on the Oguta road, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The attack happened Sunday morning and claimed the lives of a policeman and a civilian.
It was learnt that that the gunmen had wanted to enter the Assemblies of God Church but on noticing some policemen at the church opened fire on them. This resulted in a shootout between them and the policemen.

The policemen were said to have abandoned their patrol vehicle and took to their heels for safety when the shooting became intense. It was while they were running that one of them was gunned dead by the hoodlums, who then took the dead policeman’s gun, one of the reports emerging from the area claimed.

Another report also claimed that the gunmen on a motorcycle shot and collected his riffle and that they also shot dead an Okada (motorcycle) man and wounded the passenger he was conveying to church.

The report explained that the dead policeman was the one armed among his colleagues who were providing security for the church.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar, who confirmed the incident to newsmen debunked claims that the church was the target of the unknown gunmen.

He said, “My men were on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen. It was not an attack on the church, in the real sense of it”.

Read also: Terrorism In Ozubulu Church!

He confirmed that the rifle belonging to the slain cop was taken away by the gunmen.
The incident is said to have left the people of the state and South East in confusion especially, as it came just a week after gunmen Last Sunday attack and killed no fewer than 13 worshipers and injured about 27 at St Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu, also in Anambra State.

Governor of the state Willie Obiano and police had blamed the last Sunday attack on a drug war between two brothers who are indigenes of the state but live in South Africa.

But in another twist, the governor and police claims were refuted by some indigenes of the area, one of them, Ekwesigo Local Government chairman, Mr Ikenna Ofodeme, who alleged that the attack a terror attack.

 

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now