Ozubulu killings: Youths protest reopening of St Philip’s Catholic Church

Ozubulu youths under the aegis of Ozubulu Youths Association, OYA, yesterday, protested the reopening of St Philip’s Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, Anambra State barely a week after gunmen attacked worshippers, alleging what it called attack on their people without provocation and police inability to bring the perpetrators to book.

The youths, who marched from Ozubulu motor park to Ozubulu Police station, and to the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Obi Fidelis Nnamdi Oruche said they have had enough of attacks on innocent people of the community.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the peaceful protest, President of OYA, Mr Emeka Anakwe, said it was worrisome that a church, where over 13 people were killed by gun-men, would be reopened for service one week after the attack, when investigation into the matter has not been concluded, contrary to the earlier promise by the Nnewi Diocese.

Anakwe who condemned the attack on the innocent worshippers, said

“the youths of Ozubulu are concerned about the attack because the entire people of Ozubulu are now living in fear. We cannot sleep comfortably any more because of fear of recurrence.

“We have in the past, seen a situation where a security man was caught with fresh human head and was arrested but when we did not see him being prosecuted, we started asking questions, but we were told that the matter is in the court.

“We are not happy that when incidents like this happen, it is swept under the carpet.
We are peaceful people, we are not into crime. In the past, people from Nnewi, Nnobi, Oraifite and other neighbouring towns came here to drink and relax because of the peaceful atmosphere. Our town has always played host to people from other communities in the state because of its peaceful nature, but today that situation is being eroded with these nasty stories of killings here.

“Some of these things are happening because the elders of this town have neglected the youths for so long, and we will no longer accept such disposition from the elders of the community as we are prepared to play active role in the issues that affect the community and our people. We must take our destiny in our hands.