A memorial service has been held for the 13 worshippers killed last year during an early morning mass in Ozubulu community, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The mass which was held at St. Philip’s Catholic Church to mark one year anniversary of the massacre attracted the presence of Ozubulu indigenes who were mostly tearing up during the course of the mass conducted by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Onwuaso.

Recall that Onwuaso was the officiating priest on the day the church was attacked by unknown gunmen.

In his sermon, the parish priest recounted the ugly incident, saying that God had shown the people love since then.

Going down memory lane, Fr. Onwuaso said: “We were reciting ‘I believe in one God’, which the congregation chorused amen and immediately I introduced the prayer of the faithful, some huge sounds like volcanic eruption filled the church. Initially, there was total silence and confusion, but suddenly, pandemonium set in.

“At first I thought I was in a dream, but it was real. There were sporadic shootings inside the church and people started running in different directions. In fact, satanic agents and enemy of Christ entered the church for the purpose of killing innocent children of God. What was left behind were pools of blood of fellow human beings inside the church.

“For months, our parish became a hot zone as people from all parts of the world came to see the atrocity committed in our community.

“I am deeply touched by God’s care and love this one year, as He has shown us love through the diocese and beyond the shores of Nigeria.”

He commended the parishioners for putting the incident behind them, noting that it never discouraged them from attending masses and worshiping God.

While calling on people to love one another and pray that what happened last year should not repeat itself, he commended the police and voluntary agencies that came to the aid of the wounded and the dead by conveying them to hospital and the mortuaries until the burial service that later took place.

He also thanked the Anambra State Government and society at large for sympathizing with the people in their time of grief and consoled the families that lost their loved ones and the injured.

Four persons have been charged to court for allegedly being the masterminds of the massacre.

The mass was attended by both indigenes and none indigenes of Ozubulu which included the South African based businessman, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu whose father was among the deceased, veteran Nollywood actor, Chief Pete Edochie, Chinyere Wilfred, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Rita Edochie, among others.

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