Ozubulu Catholic Church Attack Was Allegedly Over a Failed Drug Business by Two South Africa-Based Drug Barons

Preliminary investigations by the police is suggesting that the attack by gunmen at the St Phillips Catholic Church in Ozubulu in Anambra state yesterday August 6th, was due to a failed drug business.

A man identified by his alias, Bishop, and one of his brothers in the community known as Obrocho, both based in South Africa, were reportedly drug barons.

The feud from the failed business culminated in one of the men sending assassins to kill Bishop who was reportedly in Nigeria on a visit. However, when the assassin and his gang members arrived Bishop’s home, they did not meet him at home, so they went in search of his Father, Chief Akunwafor Ikegwuonwu, who was at the church for the morning mass.  They shot him dead as well as other church members.

The state police commissioner, Garba Umar, has dismissed allegations that Boko Haram members were behind the attack. Umar told newsmen yesterday that the church members say the gunmen spoke Igbo during the attack.

Eleven people have so far been confirmed dead in the attack.