Following the gruesome killing of Catholic priest based in Enugu, Rev Fr Paul Offu, the State’s police command have arrested his suspected killers.
Reverend Fr. Offu was murdered by some men along the Ihe-Agbudu Road in Awgu on Thursday night, August 1st.
Until his death, he was the parish priest of St. James the Greater Parish, Ugbawka.
Announcing the arrest of the suspected killers, the state Commissioner of Police, Sulieman Balarabe, told newsmen that the command is still investigating the gruesome murder. He however refused to disclose the number of suspects arrested.
Offu’s death came barely five months after Rev Fr Clement Ugwu, the parish priest of St Mark Catholic Church, Obinofia Ndiuno in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state, was killed.
Enraged by the killings, priests of the Enugu Diocese staged a protest at the office of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Thursday August 2nd, demanding justice and the arrest of the killers.
In his reaction, President Buhari has sent a condolence message to the Catholic Church over the murder of Rev. Fr. Paul Offu in Enugu State.
Expressing disappointment and deep shock, the president ordered a thorough manhunt for the killers and their immediate prosecution.
He described the killing of the priest as “barbaric and unwarranted’’.
President Buhari also assures the Catholic Church and all Nigerians that the fight against “lawlessness and recklessness’’ will be intensified as security of lives and property continues to top his priorities.
“The entire nation is shaken by the horrible assassination of this priest. The administration will continue to guarantee the freedom of religion and protect places of worship as well as the lives of citizens wherever they live,” he added.
Directing law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in their investigations and bring the perpetrators of the “horrific crime’’ to book, the President calls on all religious leaders to pray for peace, healing and security of the country.