…Don’t join issues over Nwoko’s death– cleric cautions IPOB
By Chukwuemeka Chimerue
OWERRI— Igbo ministers under the auspices of the Igbo Council of Christian Ministers, ICCM, has queried the assailants of late pro-Biafra Prophet, Anthony Nwoko, who was brutally murdered in cold blood at his residence in Enugu.
In a statement issued in Owerri, the Imo state capital on Saturday, 11th May, 2019 by the National Coordinator of the group, Reverend Rowland Nwachukwu, ICCM, stated they would stop at nothing in unraveling those behind the death of the fiery prophet.
“Who killed Prophet Anthony Nwoko? Igbo ministers are asking. This question will continue to echo in the winds and air of time in Igboland until those who killed this fragile and defenceless cleric are unmasked, it will not be long anyway,” part of the statement reads.
Addressing the ministers during the groups’ prayer Summit/Dialogue, organized by the council, Rev. Nwachukwu said the council condemned in strong terms, the spilling of Prophet Nwoko’s blood in Igbo land at this critical time, adding that “the act was not only barbaric but wickedness of the highest order against God and humanity.”
He further stated that, “this evil act is capable of causing doom in the entire Igbo land, if sincere prayers of cleansing and forgiveness from God is not done. We are talking about wasting the blood of a prophet.
“Following the news closely, those who killed Prophet Nwoko did not even disclose their reason for murdering him. But hear this, those who carried out this heinous crime should know that, they are under heaven and does not have anywhere to hide. God will expose them.”
The cleric who was visibly not happy over the development, said to the participants in the occasion, “we have a strong confidence in the Nigeria Police and the DSS that soon they will come out with their findings and possibly bring to book those who committed this wicked act.”
Rev. Nwachukwu recalled that, “On Wednesday, 29th July 2009, Igbo Council of Christian Ministers organised prayer Summit/Dialogue in Lagos. Late Prophet Anthony Nwoko was present in that occasion. In his speech, he called for unity among Ndigbo and equally warned that Igbos should love one another.
“If Prophet Nwoko was killed for what he believes in, then he was a martyr. And you cannot spill the blood of a prophet and expect heaven to smile at you and your generations.”
The cleric further cautioned members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, advising them to be wary of their utterances in the public domain so as not to cause disunity over the death of the slain prophet.
“While we wait for the ongoing investigations by the security operatives to unravel the killers, I want to use this medium to warn the IPOB family to be careful in their utterances, and don’t join issues with the death of Prophet Nwoko.
“The world is watching, instead of accusing each other, they should close ranks and give useful information to the security operatives on how to fish out those who committed this heinous crime.
“The message and act of unity is a priority in today’s Ndigbo both home and diaspora. Whatever that will cause disunity now should be ignored.”
He concluded by advising those seeking for public support for the burial arrangements of the late prophet to take caution, so as not to engage in any act capable of distracting the ongoing investigations in the murder.
According to him, “How and when the late prophet will be buried will be made public with full consent of his family.”
