A
tragic incident took place yesterday as Youths of Obubo community in Anambra
State attacked a Priest, Rev. Father Fidelis Ifeanyichukwu Ugozo of the St.
Raphael’s Catholic Church in Ugbenu, Awka North Local Government Area of
Anambra State, beating him to a state of coma.
The rampaging youths led by their leader, Gabriel Ikegbunam are
said to be Idol worshipers.
According to Anambra Broadcasting Service, (ABS),the priest and
some of his followers were carrying out a rosary procession around some of the
villages when they were stopped by one of the youth leaders in the village,
Gabriel Ikegbunam, who felt the clergy man and his followers were out to burn
down their deity.
Mr. Ikegbunem insisted
that they will not enter his village, and when they overpowered him, he started
making contacts, calling some youths from the village to attack the priest and
others who were mainly women and children.
The
Catholic priest who was severely beaten and stabbed in the face was rushed to
an undisclosed hospital in Ebenebe after the attack but was later transferred
to St. Joseph’s hospital, Adazi Ani by the Ebenebe Deanery Chaplain.
A
former catechist at St. Raphael’s parish Ugbenu, Cletus Nwankwo, said Obubo
village is known
for adulterous acts, adding that the youths suspected that the Rosary procession was aimed at destroying their deity shrine.
for adulterous acts, adding that the youths suspected that the Rosary procession was aimed at destroying their deity shrine.
“They
moved from Agueke village to Obiagu and decided to branch at Obubo before
Ikegbunam blocked them and in the process, he called some of them and told them
that Catholics are coming to burn their shrine. Soon the youths trooped out,
wielding dangerous weapons such as axe, gun and machetes.
“They grabbed the
Blessed Sacrament from our Parish Priest, hit it on the floor and used the
Monstrance to hit our Parish priest on his hand before stabbing him on the face
and other parts of the body” he said.
The
Traditional ruler of Ugbenu town, Igwe Lawrence Egwuonu, while speaking to
newsmen said his wife, Lolo Egwuonwu was also beaten by the youths, stating
that Gabriel Ikegbunam, Israel Egwu and two others stormed his palace before
the incident occurred to complain that their shrine and other sacred symbols
were burnt by Christians.
“After
investigation, I discovered that they were all liars. None of their shrines
were burnt and I can defend it anywhere.
“It
was Ikegbunam that incited others to attack the priest and other Christians.
“Their
greatest mistake was touching the priest and destroying the Blessed Sacrament.
It is a sacrilege and they will pay for it,” he said.
Two
amongst the rampaging youths, Anthony Anigbogu and Humphrey Ekwenye, have been
reprimanded and are currently in the custody of the State CID, Awka, while
other accomplices are still at large.
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