TheCable

Willie Obiano, Anambra state governor, says the shooting of worshippers at St Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, was not a terror attack.

A lone gunman opened fire on worshippers at the church on Sunday, killing 12 people. Rumours had rippled, most especially on social media, that the attack of was the handiwork of a terror group.

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), blamed the attack on “the enemies of the Igbo”, giving more life to the rumours.

But in a state broadcast on Monday, Obiano cleared the air, saying the attack was the fallout of a gang war between two businessmen living in another African country.

“I stand before you today to brief you on the tragic killing of 12 people at St Philip’s Catholic Church, Amakwa, Ozubulu yesterday,” he said.

“First, I want to assure you all that what happened in Ozubulu yesterday was a tragic dimension of a long battle between two business partners who are from the same town. I have been fully informed that this dangerous conflict has been going on for a while in the country where they both live outside Nigeria before they decided to bring the conflict home. But let me assure you that Anambra is too hot for them to operate here, going forward.

“This explanation, I believe, has erased the fears that the incident may have been caused by either some terrorist organisations or some members of some groups of agitators. Brothers and sisters, what happened in Ozubulu was neither a terror attack as we know it nor a violent action by some agitators. We are dealing with a dangerous gang war that has spilled over to Anambra state from another African country.”

Assuring residents that the situation was under control, the governor declared, “this is the last time it will happen under my watch. Fellow citizens, I want to assure you that we are on top of this situation”.

“We are completely in charge here. The people directly and remotely involved in this crime are known to the law enforcement agencies. But no suspect, no matter how highly placed, is above the law. So, we have taken bold steps to bring them to book and restore the peace and tranquillity that Anambra state has enjoyed since the past three years,” he added.

The Anambra state police command earlier announced that it had arrested some of those involved in the attack.