By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Hoodlums on New Year’s Day destroyed St Jude Thaddeus Catholic Parish Awka located at Ezi Awka in Awka South local government area of Anambra state with explosives.
The incident occurred at about 2am, shortly after a cross overnight Mass was held within the church premises, along with several other buildings belonging to Ezi Awka Secondary and Primary schools in the area.
It was gathered that suspected arsonists with dangerous fireworks stormed the church’s crossover night service and infiltrated the Mass, which began at 10am, to disrupt the proceedings.
The Mass presided over by the Parish priest, Rev Fr Francis-Michael Enyosiobi, was heralded by praises, Thanksgiving, and words of exhortation to appreciate God for his love, protection, and blessings upon the faithful and others throughout the past year 2024 and to usher in the year 2025.
Findings revealed that during the mass service, the hoodlums consistently and persistently fired booms of fireworks, which hit the rooftop of the church building despite the large number of faithful that graced the event.
The unbearable situation intermittently compelled Enyosiobi to go out to caution those firing the ear-deadening sounds of fireworks, who besieged the open spaces and playground near the church to stop the ungodly acts, but to no avail.
The church proceedings had later ended at about 1.30 am when the faithful went to their various homes.
Further findings showed that the hoodlums took over the premises to unleash endless firing of knockouts and other explosives, which set the church building on fire, destroying everything in sight.
The wild tongue of the fire destroyed the entire church building and other valuable items worth several millions of Naira, including the altar, musical instruments and other electronic gadgets, seats/benches, decorative items, and clothing meant for the festive season.
Sadly, most of the worshippers who came for the 6.30 am mass were shocked as the building was left in ashes and rubble of the early morning devastation.
The scheduled Mass for the day was quickly shifted to the parish headquarters at Aguoye community where Rev Fr Samuel Ezeafulukwe and others, as well as the faithful, celebrated the feast of Blessed Virgin Mary, with the message that they should always honour Mary, who intercedes for them at all times.
The parish priest, Enyosiobi, later addressed the congregation. He described the incident as tragic but urged the faithful to have hope in God to turn their situations around.
He thanked God that no life was lost in the mayhem and warned that night Mass at the Ezi Awka station of the parish would not be held until further notice.
The highlight of the 2025 Mass was the rendition of prayers for God’s blessings, peace, love, progress, and breakthroughs among families, the state, and the country.
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