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OZUBULU KILLINGS: Alleged drug baron returns, police claims ignorance
As promised by some of his community men who insisted he was not a drug peddler, Aloysius Ikegwuonu, known as Bishop has returned home from a supposed trip outside the country.
However, police authorities in Awka claimed ignorance. Speaking to newsmen, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State, Nkeiruka Nwode, said the police command was not aware the alleged drug baron had returned to the country.
The governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, and the police in the state had claimed that Ikegwuonu was the cause of the shooting at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Anambra State, that left at least 13 dead and about 27 injured.
Unknown gunmen had stormed the church on August 6 and shot sporadically at worshipers in the church. Not long after the incident, Obiano and the police in the state claimed that the attack was not a terrorist attack, as many had feared, and alleged that it was a result of gang fight between two brothers, and natives of Ozubulu, who allegedly operated a drug ring. Both men were said to be residing in South Africa.
Earlier narratives had suggested that a hooded gunman invaded the church in search of Bishop over a deal that went awry.
Read also: Bystander gunned down by rival cult groups fighting over a girl
However, the local government chairman of the affected area had refuted the claim by the police authorities.
While investigations into the church attack are still ongoing, Bishop at the weekend returned to Nigeria and is said to have visited the victims of the attacks in hospitals where they were receiving treatment.
It is believed that the police will be inviting him soon for questioning to ascertain if indeed the church attack was drug motivated or an act of terrorism as many have also claimed.
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