Three gunmen posing as worshippers on Friday invaded St. Thomas’ Catholic Church, Onilekere, Ikeja, Lagos and shot the Parish Priest, Rev. Daniel Nwankwo, at close range.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at 8:30 a.m., shortly after the priest concluded the day’s morning mass.
The gunmen reportedly approached the priest and demanded audience with him, a request he granted without suspicion.
But as soon as Nwankwo followed them outside the church auditorium, one of the hoodlums, who allegedly spoke fluent Igbo language, opened fire on him.
Our correspondent gathered that his alleged attackers, who were armed with locally made pistols, scaled the fence into a nearby canal as soon as the priest raised alarm.
The Nation gathered that the acting Police Commissioner in Lagos, Imohimi Edgal, led some policemen to the scene and assured worshipers that the culprits would be fished out.
According to the command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), five suspects have already been arrested in connection with the crime and are being interrogated.
Famous-Cole dispelled rumours that the priest was killed, adding that he was recuperating at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
He said: “The priest was immediately taken to LASUTH for medical attention where he is currently being treated and is in stable condition. The CP has visited the priest to ensure he gets adequate treatment. He also spoke with him
“Yes the CP was at the scene and he spoke with some witnesses, who said the assailants were three and all Igbos.
“The witnesses said the assailants were not known to be members of the church. They said they were having a conversation with the priest before he was shot.
“CP Edgal has deployed a crack team of detectives and operational officers to the scene and all areas leading to the canal where the suspects were said to have ran towards.
“Already, five suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime and they are being interrogated.”
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