Assassins shot Catholic priest after morning mass in Lagos

ITRealms:

The suspected assassins Friday morning disguised as parishioners and shot the parish priest of St Thomas Catholic Church Onilekere Cement Bus Stop, Ikeja, Rev Father Daniel Nwankwo, reports ITRealms.

Official press statement by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, informed ITRealms that the hoodlums posed as parishioners, attended the early morning mass in the church that was conducted by the victim.

According Famous-Cole, shortly after the service, they requested to have a dialogue with Rev Father Daniel Nwankwo who granted them audience outside the church auditorium and for reasons yet unknown, one of the hoodlums brought out a locally made pistol and shot at the Rev Father.

“The Rev Father raised an alarm while the hoodlums fled the area and scaled through the fence towards an adjoining canal. The Rev Father was immediately taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for medical attention where he is currently being treated and is under stable conditions,” he said.

The new state police Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, visited the scene and spoken with a witness who confirmed that three (3) assailant of Igbo background who were not known to be members of the church, were seen having a conversation with the Rev Father before he was shot at. 

The Commissioner of Police, has visited the Rev. Fr. Nwankwo and spoke directly with him and confirmed that the priest is been given adequate medical care and he is recuperating fast. A crack team of detectives and operational officers from the police command have been dispatched to the scene and area leading to the canal where an eye witness confirmed the hoodlums ran towards.

As said by him, five suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, stressing that they would be diligently interrogated for vital information to aid police investigation.

Further, he revealed, the Commissioner, Mr. Edgal has advised Lagosians to be vigilant and security conscious at this time and must identify and report any strange faces and suspicious movement to the nearest Police.

He has also ordered the deployment of static police guard on 24hrs bases in all churches and mosque across the state instead of only on Fridays and Sundays like it as been done in the past.

Imohimi said, hoodlums that made an attempt on the Rev Father will be arrested and brought to book.

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