Osinbajo sends five-man delegation to Anambra to commiserate with people of Ozubulu

ACTING president Professor Yemi Osinbajo has sent a five-man delegation to Anambra State to commiserate with the people of Ozubulu who recently suffered a massacre when armed gunmen invaded a church killing dozens.

On Sunday, unknown assassins stormed St Philips Catholic Church in Ofufe-Amakwa, in Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state. Their assault left dozens dead and many injured with authorities still trying to ascertain the full number of lives lost in the ghastly attack.

In a swift response, Professor Osinbajo has sent a team to condole the government and people of the state over the attack believed to be the result of a drug war. Professor Osinbajo's delegation is made up of the minister of labour and employment Dr Chris Ngige, the minister of health Professor Isaac Adewole, foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of state for environment Mallam Ibrahim Usman Jibril and the minister of state for education, Professor Anthony Anwuka.

During the visit, the delegation will present a condolence letter from the acting president on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria to Governor Willie Obiano. They will also visit Bishop Hilary Okeke of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nnewi and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital also in Nnewi, to meet with some of the victims of the attack still in the hospital.

In his letter, Professor Osinbajo extended deep commiserations to the families and friends of the victims and the Ozubulu community over the death of their sons and daughters, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured still in the hospital. He also condemned in very strong terms the atrocious and dastardly act which has brought sorrow to many innocent families and, has rightly provoked widespread condemnation.

Professor Osinbajo said: “Such a barbaric act constitutes an affront to our common humanity and it challenges. However, we will not lit it overwhelm our collective resolve to rid our communities of all forms of violent crimes and criminality.”

In addition, Professor Osinbajo pointed out that the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari remains undeterred and will continually commit to deploying all available resources towards ensuring the adequate security of lives and property in Anambra State and across the entire country. Professor Osinbajo noted that he has instructed law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice without any delay.

He said he would remain engaged with Governor Obiano, the police authorities and other security agencies to ensure that the lives and property of citizens of Anambra State and indeed all Nigerians are well protected anywhere they may live. It is not yet clear if any arrests have been made so far with regards to the incident.