'Masterminds of mass murder are in SA prison' - Police

By davicole

Aloy Ikegwuonu Bishop at a function

 (Total Media)

Three months after the massacre of worshippers inside the St. Philip's Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on August 6, 2017, the State Police Command says the masterminds of the act coordinated the attack while still serving prison terms in South Africa.

News Agency of Nigeria [NAN], reports that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Garba Umar, gave this update during a press conference held in his office on the outcome of an intensive investigation.

Recall that gunmen had attacked the church during the 6 am morning mass, firing indiscriminately, leaving about 13 people dead while scores were left with several degrees of injuries.

After the mindless attack, the police had come out with preliminary detail that the attack was as a result of a drug deal gone wrong involving a member of the community, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu aka Bishop, and some of his business partners in South Africa and that Ikegwuonu was the target.

One of the victims of the Anambra Church massacre (Facebook)

However, CP Umar has fingered two Nigerians, Prince Charles Obi, aka Gozila and Dickson Nwodi, alias Afam, who are both in South African prison for murder, as the brains behind the mass murders.

CP Umar said intensive investigations into the massacre led the police to the two and that they have taken responsibility for the attack while vowing to kill some more people in the community if a certain amount of money was not paid as compensation.

The police boss added that the Interpol had been involved to help in extraditing the suspects so as to face trials in Nigeria.

He also said other suspects in the killing who had been in police custody would be arraigned this week.

Shocked worshippers after the attack at the St. Philip's Catholic Church (Sun Newspaper)

A statement signed by the CP reads:

“Two indigenes of Anambra State from Nnobi and Oba LGAs respectively, currently serving prison terms in South Africa for murder, have taken responsibility for the attack.

They vowed that there will be more attacks if their financial demands, which were not disclosed, made of certain persons are not met.

They mandated one Quintus Anayo, alias Obasanjo, also based in South Africa, to come to Ozubulu and inform the elders of the town of this threat.

The two prisoners in South Africa are Prince Charles Obi, a.k.a. Gozila, and Dickson Nwodi aka Afam.

The command wishes to state categorically that we will ensure that all identified perpetrators are brought to book.

On that strength, three of the suspects in custody are to be arraigned within this week on charges of conspiracy and murder with other suspects at large.

The Interpol is already involved in the investigation and possible extradition of the suspects based in South Africa who claimed responsibility for the attack on the church.”

St. Philip's Catholic Church where the gunmen killed several worshippers (Premium Times)

Also speaking on the involvement of Ikegwuonu in the attack, CP Umar Bishop was just a victim of circumstances and would have been killed if the gunmen had met him in the church on the day of the attack.