Emerging reports indicate that unknown gunmen on Sunday attacked the Assemblies of God Church located at Oguta road, Onitsha, killing at least one police officer and a civilian. According to Punch, the gunmen had momentarily stopped at the Assemblies of God Church, but on sighting some policemen at the church, opened fire on them.
The reported said “When the firing became too hot, the policemen abandoned their patrol vehicle and ran away for safety. The gunmen moved to their patrol van and took a gun belonging to the policeman they killed."
It quoted an eyewitness as saying “Gunmen on Okada (motorcycle) shot a policeman and collected his rifle. They also shot dead an Okada man while escaping, and the passenger he was carrying was injured. The policeman was the one armed among his colleagues; they were providing security while church service was going on at Assemblies of God Church, Oguta road Onitsha"
The incident is coming barely one week after gunmen attacked St Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Anambra state killing at least 13 persons.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of the Police, Anambra state command Garba Umar has reportedly confirmed the attack. He however denied reports that the attack targeted the church. “My men were on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen. It was not an attack on the church, in the real sense of it. I want to assure you that we are closing in on them."
