The alleged target of the August 6 massacre at St. Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, Anambra State, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonwu on Wednesday called on traditional rulers in the state to invoke the gods of the land to expose the perpetrators of the dastardly act saying that he regrets negative comments against him after the incident.

Ikegwuonwu, popularly known as "Bishop of Umuofufe Ozubulu", spoke at the palace of the traditional ruler of the town, His Royal Highness, Igwe Nnamdi Oruche, when Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers paid a condolence visit to the monarch. It was his first time of reacting to the disaster and he said since the traditional rulers were custodians of tradition in their various communities, they should pray that the gods of the land should reveal the killers of the church worshipers and bring them to justice.

He expressed shock at the level of negative media comments against him, adding that media should have helped to provide useful information on how to arrest the killers.

“Has anybody previously brought any complaint against me for any reason? Anybody I offended should come out publicly and say it as I say it now publicly that I have not offended anybody,” he charged.

Ikegwuonwu maintained that his community knew that he never made trouble with anybody and had been able to empower many youths and others in the town through the blessings of God.

While bragging that God has blessed him to help others, he said that people should not be envious, warning those who made negative statements against him to desist from that forthwith.

He however thanked the traditional rulers for their visit, show of concern and the fatherly role they had played since the attack of the innocent worshipers.

The delegation of the traditional rulers, led by the traditional ruler of Iseke, His Royal Highness, Igwe E. C. Nnabuife commiserated with Igwe Oruche and the entire Ozubulu people over the incident.

Others at the meeting were Mr. Hygenus Ikegwuonu, brother to Bishop, and Mr. Ezeilenna, who commended the visiting traditional rulers for their concern.

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