Ozubulu: Traditional rulers must invoke gods to unravel killers, says Bishop

 The alleged target of the August 6, massacre at St. Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonwu, aka Bishop, yesterday called on traditional rulers to invoke gods of the land to expose those that carried out the bloody attack on the church.

Bishop, who expressed disappointment over all the negative comments against since the occurrence of the incident, spoke for the first time at the palace of the traditional ruler of the town His Royal Highness, Igwe Nnamdi Oruche. 

The Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers had paid a condolence visit to the Igwe Nnamdi Oruche,
 the Ozubulu monarch.

Bishop noted that the traditional rulers were custodians of tradition in their various communities in the state, thus they should pray and urge the gods of the land to unveil the attackers of the catholic worshippers and bring them to justice.

He expressed shock at the level of negative comments against him in the media, stressing that media should help in providing useful information on how the shooters could be arrested.

He further said: "Has anybody previously brought any complaint against me for any reason? Anybody I offended should come out publicly and say so, as I’m saying it publicly now that I had not offended anyone.”

He insisted that his community knew that he doesn’t make trouble and had empowered youths and other folks in the community.  Bishop, he said that God had truly blessed him and wanted him to assist others, added that people should desist from being envious.

He thanked traditional rulers for their visits, show of concern and fatherly roles played since the attack of the innocent worshipers. The delegation of traditional rulers, led by ruler of Iseke, His Royal Highness, Igwe E. C. Nnabuife, commiserated with Igwe Oruche and the entire Ozubulu people on the attack.

The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Hilary Odili Okeke, yesterday, in Nnewi, Anambra State set up a 10-man Ozubulu Casualty Committee to handle welfare of the victims of the August 6 attack. According to Okeke, the committee’s mandate, include visiting all victims in different hospitals in order to know their needs and extend a helping hand.

The committee is also expected to ensure that every help provided by groups and individuals, should be deposited in a central account called, ‘Ozubulu Casualty Charity Fund,’ provided by the committee.

Okeke added: "Many people and groups in the church are helping the victims. The State Government has promised to pay money into that account. These victims do eat, and that is why we need money to give them. The families of the dead will not be forgotten. The committee is charged to be accountable in the discharge of its duties.”

Reacting to Ozubulu youths' protest against the re-opening of St. Philip’s church seven days after the attack, Okeke asked if the protesters were Christians.

Okeke added: "If those protesters are Christians, they should not complain because they should know that we have to continue to worship God in every situation.”

The sum of N50, 000 was doled out each to 44 victims at various hospitals.