By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Apparently unhappy with the commando-style
invasion of Imo church by persons later identified as Police operatives on Sunday, Anglican Archbishop has described the incident as a clear
desecration of a Holy place of worship.
This is even as The Most Reverend (Dr.) David Onuoha, Archbishop, Anglican Province of Owerri.
(Feast of St John the Apostle) has in a statement he personally issued on Monday in Owerri insists that the Gestapo way a worshipper was bundled from St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama-Obaire in Nkwerre local government area of Imo state on Sunday can only fuel insecurity in the state.
Archbishop Onuoha who was reacting to the invasion of the church in Imo state on Sunday shooting sporadically before abducting Uche Nwosu who was said to be attending the church service on the fateful day said the Police has roundly desecrated God’s sanctuary.
The press statement titled:
Re: Desecration of St Peter’s Church Eziama Obaire,
read in parts: “It was a black Sunday yesterday December 26 2021 as armed men in uniform invaded St Peter’s Anglican Church Eziama Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government Area, Diocese of Orlu in Imo State and roundly desecrated God’s sanctuary”.
“The officiating Priest had barely concluded the celebration and administration of the Holy Eucharist, ready for the end of year thanksgiving, when armed men stormed the church”.
“The Nigerian Police latter explained that it was for the purpose of effecting an arrest. Much as we are not concerned or interested in the reason for this invasion, which is unprecedented in the more than 160 years history of the church in this state, we are gravely worried and disturbed that worshippers were greatly frightened, worried, confused and completely disorganized by the presence of heavily armed security operatives in the church service thereby disrupting the worship of God’s people”.
“That the Police jumped inside the church in a gestapo style when the service was in full session is reprehensible, primitive, and highly condemnable”.
“We are at a great loss why the police decided to throw caution to the winds and completely ignore internationally acclaimed rules of engagement and civility in this matter”.
“The sporadic gunshots outside the church building sent worshippers scampering in different directions, signaling an abrupt and chaotic end of the service”.
“While the church is in support of and have always been praying for the success of our security personnel in the daunting task and challenge of securing lives and property in our dear state and every effort at bringing the perpetrators/sponsors of this crime against humanity to book no matter how highly placed, we warn that such acts as the one in issue are capable of worsening the security challenges we are currently facing”.
“The Church will in the next few days engage the Nigerian Police in a dialogue to truly understand the reasons behind this dastardly act and how to avoid a repeat occurrence. While this process is on, we urge all Christians to continue in prayers for God’s mercy on all of us and peace in our land”.
Peace of Imo state indigenes was disturbed on the Boxing Day when video reports emerged in the social media showing the abduction of Nwosu, a son-in-law of ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha from his village church where he was said to be attending an Outing Church Service of late mother by “masked unknown gunmen”.
But Imo State Police Command later came out to claim that Nwosu was arrested and not kidnapped by the Police.
This was contained in a terse statement authored by Mr. Michael Abattam, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) acting on behalf of Commissioner of Police Imo State Command.
The statement titled: ARREST OF CHIEF UCHE NWOSU said that Nwosu was not kidnapped but was arrested by the Police and Imo State Police Command was aware of the arrest.
