The Police in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria are yet to confirm an attack on worshippers at a Christmas carol service, Sunday night in which three persons were reportedly killed.
Locals say the attackers struck between 10:00 and 11:00 in the night at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkwagu, in Abakaliki Local Government of Ebonyi State, the State capital.
The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie, was said to have spoken strongly against the attack during his Christmas service homily at the St Theresa Cathedral church, Abakaliki, condemning the killings.
Bishop Nworie is quoted as describing the violent attack on the worshippers as “devilish, sad and disheartening”, praying to God for the repose of the souls of the dead, and quick recovery for the injured.
“… such unfortunate act had never happened in the Church in the State. This is the first time such incident is happening in the church and in Ebonyi state in general,” the Bishop noted.
The gunmen were said to have gained entry into the premises of the church, shot the three victims who were outside of the main church building, but could not enter inside where there were other worshippers.
An eyewitness who would not want to be identified told ait.live “my friend who’s a member of the Man of Order and Discipline (MOD) of the church was shot and was confirmed dead, and his lifeless body has been deposited in the morgue on Monday morning, Christmas day”.
Both the Police and the Ebonyi State government have not made any public statement on the Christmas eve brutal attack several hours after the incident.
The Immaculate Conception Parish church is situated along Nkwagu in Abakaliki, just a few meters away from the Military cantonment in Abakaliki.
No group has claimed responsibility for the church worshippers attack.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
