This is What Ozubulu Needs to Hear!

As dawn broke through the soaring skies of Nigeria with orange rays streaking through, news emerged that gunmen rampaged through the town of Ozubulu and wrecked unspeakable violence. This was violence of the most despicable kind visited upon defenceless men, women and children who had gone for the Sunday weekly worship. A town known for their fervent Christianity and which in history past was home to the deity of ‘Akpu’ received utter devastation at the hands of murderous gunmen. These victims did not seek nor did they provoke an assault on their lives nor did they welcome a confrontation with such violence dipped in wantonness. Yet we all must find our true measure and comfort from how we are able to rise to master this sad and shocking moment.

Almost 50 people at St Phillips Catholic Church, Ozubulu, attending early morning mass were either killed or maimed when gunmen in their bloodlust, seeking to settle scores stormed the auditorium opening fire and killing people at random as they dived for cover and protection.  The refuge of the Church so seriously desecrated and breached.

The streets of heaven are overwhelmed with angels tonight. They are our children, our parents, friends, and relatives. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight but every time we contemplate we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we are reminded that that capacity may well be limitless.  Today is a time for Nigerian heroes. We must do what is hard; we will achieve what is great. This is a time for Nigerian heroes to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Ozubulu and we must reach for the stars rising above such despicable evil.

In the midst of so much pain and anguish we are tempted to pursue the predators to wreck even greater violence and yes we must leave this to the law enforcement agents.  But returning violence for violence will only multiply the act we seek to avenge adding deeper darkness to a night devoid of stars. But Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can.  May God comfort all those that mourn and are reeling from trauma tonight. God bless Nigeria.