UPDATED: Armed Robbers Attack Assemblies Of God Church, Kill Three In Onitsha

Report reaching TheNigerialawyer reveals that some armed robbers
have attacked the Assemblies of God Church at Oguta road Onitsha.
The robbers who were armed, shot one of the policemen guarding the
church, and made away with his gun. Others close to the church
premises were shot as well.

An eyewitness account told our correspondent that the gunmen had
momentarily stopped at the Assemblies of God Church, but on
sighting some policemen at the church, opened fire on them.

“When the firing became too hot, the policemen abandoned their
patrol vehicle and ran away for safety.

“The gunmen moved to their patrol van and took a gun belonging
to the policeman they killed.

“I saw two of the gunmen but I can’t say how many they are in
number.

Another eyewitness said, “Gunmen on Okada (motorcycle) shot a
policeman and collected his rifle. They also shot dead an Okada man
while escaping, and the passenger he was carrying was injured.

The policeman was the one armed among his colleagues; they were
providing security while church service was going on at Assemblies
of God Church, Oguta road Onitsha.

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar
confirmed the incident to journalists.

He said it was not an attack on the church, adding “My men were
on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen.
It was not an attack on the church, in the real sense of it”.

The commissioner confirmed that the hoodlums took away a rifle
belonging to the slain cop.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige had on
Saturday said the Federal Government would work out modalities on
how to secure places of worship in the country.

Leading a federal government delegation to commiserate with the
people of Anambra State on the Ozubulu shooting, Ngige said that
had become expedient following incessant attacks on places of
worship.

At the time of filing this report by TheNigerialawyer, three
were reported dead and other taken to the New Hope Hospital as
disclosed by an eye witness.

Recall that the Assemblies of God church has been in a
leadership tussle for something now. Although more is yet to be
known about the attack, it is hoped that the security agencies will
work to make the incidence better known to the public and perhaps
bring the culprits to book.

This is the second time a church has been attacked on a sunday
in Anambra State within a short period of time.

Report reaching TheNigerialawyer reveals that some armed robbers
have attacked the Assemblies of God Church at Oguta road Onitsha.
The robbers who were armed, shot one of the policemen guarding the
church, and made away with his gun. Others close to the church
premises were shot as well.

An eyewitness account told our correspondent that the gunmen had
momentarily stopped at the Assemblies of God Church, but on
sighting some policemen at the church, opened fire on them.

“When the firing became too hot, the policemen abandoned their
patrol vehicle and ran away for safety.

“The gunmen moved to their patrol van and took a gun belonging
to the policeman they killed.

“I saw two of the gunmen but I can’t say how many they are in
number.

Another eyewitness said, “Gunmen on Okada (motorcycle) shot a
policeman and collected his rifle. They also shot dead an Okada man
while escaping, and the passenger he was carrying was injured.

The policeman was the one armed among his colleagues; they were
providing security while church service was going on at Assemblies
of God Church, Oguta road Onitsha.

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar
confirmed the incident to journalists.

He said it was not an attack on the church, adding “My men were
on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen.
It was not an attack on the church, in the real sense of it”.

The commissioner confirmed that the hoodlums took away a rifle
belonging to the slain cop.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige had on
Saturday said the Federal Government would work out modalities on
how to secure places of worship in the country.

Leading a federal government delegation to commiserate with the
people of Anambra State on the Ozubulu shooting, Ngige said that
had become expedient following incessant attacks on places of
worship.

At the time of filing this report by TheNigerialawyer, three
were reported dead and other taken to the New Hope Hospital as
disclosed by an eye witness.

Recall that the Assemblies of God church has been in a
leadership tussle for something now. Although more is yet to be
known about the attack, it is hoped that the security agencies will
work to make the incidence better known to the public and perhaps
bring the culprits to book.

This is the second time a church has been attacked on a sunday
in Anambra State within a short period of time.