Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State, says “a feud between two brothers from the community living outside Nigeria” is responsible for the killing of some congregants during an early-morning mass on Sunday at the St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

An unknown gunman stormed the church and opened fire on congregants, splattering blood on the walls, chairs and floor of the church, and killing a still-indefinite number of people.

Although the state government put the death toll at 11, Garba Umar, Commissioner of Police, said eight persons died while 18 sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The Ozubulu community in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra state was this morning thrown into mourning as a gun man walked into St Philip’s Catholic Church and started shooting sporadically, killing 11 and injuring 18 persons,” Obiano said, according to a statement released by Ifeanyi Aniagoh, his media aide.

“On hearing the sad development, Governor Obiano stormed the scene to ascertain the level of damage and sympathise with the people.

“Speaking at the church premises, the governor revealed that preliminary security investigations show that the shooting was caused by a feud between two brothers from the community living outside Nigeria.

“This is sacrilegious, totally unacceptable in Anambra State. We can’t allow this happen in Anambra, we must get everyone involved to face the music.

“The deeply saddened governor asked the people to go about their businesses without fear or panic noting that this isolated case must be followed to the root and all perpetrators must be brought to book.

“Gov Obiano also visited Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi where the injured are being treated.”

Obiano thanked the “over 50 doctors who were on ground looking after the injured” and assured families of the victims that all medical bills would be borne by the state government.