TheNewsGuru

Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra Chruch gun attack: Saraki, Dogara,Ekweremadu condole with victims

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed deep sadness over the massacre that occurred at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Anambra State on Sunday.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki stated that the killing of worshippers represents the purest kind of evil, and the security services must not stop until the perpetrators are brought to justice.

    “Today, my heart goes out to Nigeria’s Christian community, Governor Willy Obiano, the people of Anambra State, and the families of the victims and the survivors of this terrible massacre,” the Senate President said, “This brutal act of attacking innocent and unsuspecting worshippers represents the purest kind of evil.

    “Our security forces must not stop until everyone involved in the orchestration and execution of today’s massacre in St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Anambra are brought to book by the strong arm of justice.

    “The Senate will continue to offer any form of necessary assistance in this endeavor, because today, all of us, as Nigerians have been attacked by this senseless act committed by evil people”, Saraki stated.

    He further urged security agencies in the country to step their intelligence gathering activities so as to prevent activities of criminals and also unravel any crime committed against Nigerians by undesirable elements in the society.

    Ekweremadu: Anambra Church Attack sacrilegious

    In the same vein, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has described as beastly and sacrilegious the Sunday massacre of worshippers at St. Philip’s Catholic Church Ozubulu, Anambra State.

    Ekweremadu, who also described the day as a black Sunday, not only for Anambra State, but also the entire nation, called on the security agencies to fish out the killers and bring them to justice.

    He said: “I received with a deep grief the news of the blood-curdling killing at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu today. It is indeed a black Sunday and the act is most sacrilegious and condemnable.

    “My heartfelt condolences go to the Government and good people of Anambra, especially the bereaved families and the Church. I also pray God to grant the deceased a peaceful repose and the wounded a quick recovery.

    “However, this dastardly act brings to the fore, once again, the need to reengineer our security system, especially our policing system to arrest the rising wave of violent crimes in the country”.

    He said in the meantime, the least the nation owes the deceased and the casualties was to work with the security agencies “to bring apprehend the culprits and ensure that justice is done to both the living and the dead”.

    Dogara: Anambra Massacre is abominable, barbaric

    Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described Sunday’s attack on worshippers in a Catholic church in Anambra state as abominable, barbaric, inhuman, and the height of wickedness.

    Scores of worshippers were murdered by gunmen inside a Catholic church in Ozubulu in Anambra State.

    The shooting is said to have occurred during church service while worshipers were still inside the church building on Sunday morning.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said his heart is broken by the sad news of the massacre of innocent worshippers in cold blood by people he described as ” sons of perdition whose souls will rot in hell.”

    “Have we lost our humanity? Where is the place of sanctity of life and sacredness of worship places in our society? What offence did the worshippers commit to warrant their massacre in cold blood by wicked souls and heartless men?”

    The Speaker lamented that increasing insecurity is reducing Nigeria to the state of nature as life is increasingly becoming cheap.

    He again reiterated his call for the overhaul of Nigeria’s policing architecture that will lead to reform of the Police Force, equip them with modern and sophisticated gadgets so as to discharge their duties of protecting lives and property effectively and ensure social order in the society.

    Dogara further called on security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the heinous crime and bring them to justice speedily.

    He extended his heartfelt condolences to families of the victims, people and government of Anambra state, Nigeria and the Catholic Church over the sad and unfortunate incident.

  • Anambra church gun attack: Here is all you need to know

    There has been a distortion in the reports on the identity of the actual killer, [gunman] or killers [gunmen] of eight worshippers on Sunday at St. Philip Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Anambra state.

    When the first wave of news reports on incident hit the internet space, over four hours ago [12:00 pm], most news media at the time, erroneously reported that the attack was perpetrated by some unknown gunmen.

    However, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar on Sunday confirmed that it is only one gunman that carried out the killings.

    Also, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who reacted to the Anambra Church killings in a video shared by his supporters on Facebook led a whole lot of netizens confused about the ethnic background of the gunman, by blaming the Hausa, Fulani as being the mastermind of the incident.

    In the video, enraged Kanu said Igbos are tired of the so many killings which he blamed on the current structure of the country that placed ‘Biafra’ under the Nigerian government.

    Watch the video: ‘We are tired of being killed by Hausa,Fulani’ – Nnamdi Kanu

    On the contrary, Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, while quoting an intelligence report gathered by the state linked the shooting to an existing feud existing between some members of Umuezekwe Ofufe Amakwa community of Ozubulu living abroad.

    Accordingly, the report of the state’s commissioner of police, Garba corroborated with Governor Obiano’s account, which both debunks the Nnamdi Kanu speculation of a possible invasion.

    Garba said, “From our findings, it is very clear that the person who carried the attack must be an indigene of the area.“We gathered that worshippers for 6 o’clock Sunday mass at St. Philip Ozobulu were in the service when a gunman dressed in black attire covering his face with a cap entered the church and moved straight to a particular direction and opened fire.

    “The man after shooting at his targeted victims still went on a shooting spree, killing and wounding other worshippers,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said information available to police showed that the attacker was speaking undiluted Igbo Language at the time he was firing at worshippers.

    Parish priest, choir member speak

    The Parish Priest of St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Jude Onwuaso, said that the attack took place at about 6.30 a.m. during a Holy Mass celebration.

    According to the priest, an unidentified man came into the Church, shot at a man, Chief Akunwafor Ikegwuonwu, before shooting sporadically at other worshippers.

    An eyewitness, who simply identified herself as a choir member, said that the church was dark as there was no light.

    She said that the generating set suddenly developed fault; so, the mass proceeded with the congregation using candles.

    According to her, the gunman, after the shooting, immediately jumped into a waiting car with a driver.

    Why the shootings?

    There are strong speculations that the gun attack is motivated by drug deals gone wrong.

    Recall that the Obiano gave a hint, saying the killings were as a result of a feud existing between some members of Umuezekwe Ofufe Amakwa community of Ozubulu who are living abroad.

     

     

     

     

  • Anambra Church killings: “Sacrilegious, totally unacceptable” – Gov Obiano

    To ascertain the level of damage and sympathize with his people, Anambra State Governor Obiano has visited St Philip’s Catholic Church, where eight worshippers killed in the State.

    Speaking at the Church premises, the governor revealed that preliminary security investigations show that the shooting was caused by a feud between two brothers from the community living outside Nigeria

    This is sacrilegious, totally unacceptable in Anambra State,” Obiano said.

    The deeply saddened governor asked the people to go about their businesses without fear or panic noting that this isolated case must be followed to the root and all perpetrators must be brought to book.

    “We can’t allow this happen in Anambra, we must get everyone involved to face the music” the governor declared.
    Gov Obiano also visited Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi where the injured are being treated.

    Thanking over 50 doctors who were on ground looking after the injured, the governor assured their families that all medical bills will be taken care of by the State Government.

  • Black Sunday: Facts behind killings of worshippers in Anambra

    • 8 persons killed during the attack
    • Another 18 seriously injured
    • Mastermind of killing must be an indigene of the area – Police
    • The attacker was speaking undiluted Igbo Language at the time he was firing at worshippers
    • Watch video [Scene of the incident — St. Philip Catholic Church]

    Also, watch video: ‘We are tired of being killed by Hausa,Fulani’ – Nnamdi Kanu

    The police in Anambra on Sunday confirmed that a gunman killed eight worshippers and injured 18 others in an early morning attack on St. Philip Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar, told newsmen in Awka that the remains f the dead had been deposited at Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi.

    Umar also said that the injured were taken to the hospital.

    He said that preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the attack was carried out by a native of the area.

    “From our findings, it is very clear that the person who carried the attack must be an indigene of the area.

    “We gathered that worshippers for 6 o’clock Sunday mass at St. Philip Ozobulu were in the service when a gunman dressed in black attire covering his face with a cap entered the church and moved straight to a particular direction and opened fire.

    “The man after shooting at his targeted victims still went on a shooting spree, killing and wounding other worshippers,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said information available to police showed that the attacker was speaking undiluted Igbo Language at the time he was firing at worshippers.

    Umar said though no arrest had been made that the police already learnt that the attack followed a quarrel between two natives of Ozubulu residing overseas.

    Describing the act as sacrilegious, the commissioner of police said it was wrong for the perpetrators of the act to extend their quarrel into the church.

    He added: “such conduct shows the people behind the act do not fear God.’’

    He said the police had launched a manhunt on those behind the act and gave an assurance that everybody behind the act would be brought to justice.

    Umar described any insinuation that the attack was carried out by Boko Haram elements as false and urged the people to go about their normal businesses.

  • Black Sunday: Several killed as gunmen attack worshipers in Anambra church‎ [VIDEO]

    There is tension in Anambra State following reported death of over several worshipers after a gunman launched an early morning attack during a Sunday service.

    The attack occurred at ‎St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ugwu Oye in Ozubulu, Anambra State.

  • Election must hold in Anambra – MASSOB

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has said the governorship election in Anambra State must hold.

    National Director of Information of MASSOB, Sunday Okereafor said this in an interview with Punch.

    This is contrary to a statement made by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, that the election would not hold in the state.

    Okoreafor said IPOB was planning to create more problems for Igbos and also get them killed.

    “IPOB is wrong to have said the election will not hold. How can they say the election will not hold? They want to create problems in Nigeria. They want our people to be killed again?

    “We are saying no violence and they are inciting violence. The people of Anambra should go ahead and elect their leaders on the day of the election,” he said.

    He added that the group was planning to establish a Biafra radio station in Germany.

    He said, “Eighteen years of MASSOB existence would be celebrated on September 13, 2017. We will celebrate it in a big way and MASSOB is saying election must hold in Anambra. It must surely hold.

    “We have come a long way and we are the founders of the struggle. All the pro-Biafra groups came out of MASSOB. We are telling Anambra people to go ahead in November and be part of the election.”

  • Kcee joining Anambra Gubernatorial race?

    Kcee joining Anambra Gubernatorial race?

    Limpopo crooner, Kcee could be joining the candidates for the Anambra governorship election. The musician took to his Instagram page to declare his intention. His campaign slogan on the flier reads: “Peace and enjoyment for all”.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BXVH3MSlGBX/?taken-by=iam_kcee

    “It’s about time, Big Announcement on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 11am,” he wrote.

     

    The pop star will be joining Yul Edochie, who also indicated his interest in the Anambra State Gubernatorial election.His fans have been reacting to his declaration. A certain Eltasie wrote:” This one that cannot spell wants to be governor “.

    Nkiru wrote:” What does this one know about governance”?

    Jumi identified the typographical error on the flier. She said:” Where is Anambara located in Nigeria state and capital? All we know is Anambra state”.

  • I want to fix the problems of the people- Yul Edochie

    It is no longer news that Nollywood actor,Yul Edochie will be running for the imminent Anambra governorship election. Edochie stated that the need to fix the problems of the “suffering” populace is his driving force.

     

    “I don’t understand why my people are suffering. Governance should be about giving the people the best and anything short of this is a failed project.It breaks my heart and these people don’t care. People are suffering. I want to fix the problems of the people. I want to give them the good life they deserve” he said on his Instagram page.

     

    Though the actor is yet to divulge the party he intends to contest on, the Anambra gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 18.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BXP1e1-lYZb/?taken-by=yuledochie

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BXP2lMMFGrN/?taken-by=yuledochie

  • Anambra guber: Labour Party holds primaries August 20

    Anambra guber: Labour Party holds primaries August 20

    The National Chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, said the party would participate in the Nov. 18 governorship poll in Anambra and would hold the primaries on Aug. 20.

    Abdulsalam told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday that the party would win the election, adding that it had been receiving and screening aspirant ahead of the primaries.

    “Labour Party has been doing tremendously well; we have been organising and strategising across the country, moving and preparing for the 2019 elections.

    “Presently we are on ground in Anambra, Osun and Ekiti states and very soon we will get to other areas.

    “We have gone very far in our preparations toward the Anambra election and we are having our primary on Aug.20, 2019.

    “With the level of preparation and strategy, Labour Party will certainly produce the next governor of Anambra state,’’ he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released schedule for the Nov. 18 poll, with Aug. 18 to Nov. 16 fixed for campaigns by political parties…

    The commission also directed political parties to conduct their primaries between July 22 and Sept. 2.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • IPOB members storm Anambra Gov’s church with ‘No election’ protest

    IPOB members storm Anambra Gov’s church with ‘No election’ protest

    Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Sunday, stormed St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ekwulobia in Aguata local government area, where Governor Willie Obiano was worshipping and tried to disrupt the service.

    Recall IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had declared that the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra will not hold.

    According to media reports, the governor had hardly settled down in the church when some youth, including women, overwhelmed the premises of the church, chanting Biafra songs and shouting, “No election in Anambra State “, “We want referendum”, and “No referendum, no election”.

    They reportedly forced their way through the gate, trying to gain entrance.A worshipper at the church said: “As these IPOB members continued their confrontation with the police, their numbers continued to increase. I think they were reinforcing from Onitsha and before we knew what was happening, the area was full of IPOB people.”

    A worshipper at the church said. “As these IPOB members continued their confrontation with the police, their numbers continued to increase. ”

    However, a member of the governor’s press crew said the governor was not disturbed in any way, adding that despite the presence of the IPOB youth outside the church, he still addressed the congregation towards the end of the service and stayed till the end.

    He said, “It is not true that the governor was smuggled out of the church. What happened was that the security men had to stop the agitators at the gate of the church when they started shouting “no election, no election.

    “The governor even addressed the issue while speaking to the congregation by assuring Anambra people that there will be an election in the state in November.

    “He said nobody can stop the election in the state and observed that most of the anti- election protesters are not from Anambra State.”

    The Anambra State Police Commissioner Garba Umar who confirmed the incident warned that the police would no longer tolerate such “impunity”.

    He said, “You, press people should report this and that is that we will no longer tolerate this impunity from anybody.

    “Why should they protest to the church? The church is a place of worship and not a place of protest. It is obvious that they had criminal intention to attack the governor.

    “The police had to stop them at the gate. If they had dared my men; it would have been a different story. We can’t watch anybody breach public peace in this state. They should be warned to desist from this impunity”.

    About two weeks ago, a group of youth suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra had allegedly disrupted a church function attended by the governorship candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance, Godwin Ezeemo.

    The conflict happened at Odoekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.