Tragedy struck Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as unidentified gunmen stormed the church premises, resulting in the reported death of three worshipers.
Reports from DAILY POST indicated that the assailants launched the attack around 11:30 pm on Sunday, targeting individuals attending the church service.
The gunmen allegedly lured one victim, a well-known POS operator at Nkwuagu market, out of the church by placing a call, subsequently fatally shooting him upon his exit.
The gruesome killings plunged the entire community into mourning and disrupted economic activities, notably impacting the bustling Nkwuagu market along the Abakaliki/Afikpo express road on Christmas Day.
This tragic incident follows a recent cult-related clash in Nkwuagu that claimed the life of a student, marking a total of four fatalities in the area.
Investigations suggested a potential connection between the fatal attack on the three church worshippers and ongoing cult-related confrontations within the Nkwuagu community.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Augustina Ogbodo, and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) remained unsuccessful as they did not respond to calls and text messages from journalists in Abakaliki.
Reacting promptly, Most Rev. Peter Nworie, the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, condemned the distressing incident, denouncing the attackers for invading the church during a vigil mass service, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and injuries to several others.
Expressing his dismay, Bishop Nworie highlighted the unprecedented nature of such violence within the church and across Ebonyi State, deeming it a sorrowful occurrence.
