By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye,
Catholic diocese of Nnewi are presently mourning the death of one of her priest, Rev. Fr. Edmund Nwagbala, 60, Parish priest of St. Peter Claver Catholic Parish, Nnewi, Anambra.
According to a report, an early morning fire inferno which source is yet to be unraveled rocked the parish rectory, leaving the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Edmund Nwagbala, dead; while a resident priest, identified as Fr. John Okosa, was critically injured.
It was gathered that the explosion occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 16, inside the parish priest room.
Source from the parish told newscrew that the explosion sparked fire inside the priest’s room, and burned him beyond recognition; while another priest, Rev. Fr. John Okosa, who managed to jump out from a window, sustained life threatening injuries, and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital.
The source, who did not want his name in print, also said there was neither a gas cylinder nor fuel container in the cleric’s room, which could ignite fire.
Though newscrew were not allowed to gain access into the parish house; even as parishioners were all over the place, wailing and mourning the death of their parish priest.
When contacted, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Martin Nweze, confirmed the incident, but told newsmen that he would not say much as he was not in Anambra presently.
Though the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi diocese Most. Rev. Hilary-Paul Odili Okeke, is yet to make an official statement concerning the incident.
In the mean time, police authorities in Anambra state have confirmed the incident, promising to unraveled the circumstances that led to the horrible inferno.
A release by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, said the inferno, which cause is yet to be ascertained, affected part of the priest rectory building.
According to the release, “The parish priest, Rev. Fr. Edmund Nwagbala ‘M’ aged about 60 years, was burnt beyond recognition inside his room at same premises.
“Police patrol team attached to Otolo Division led by the DPO, visited the scene and fire service department was equally alerted. They responded promptly and put off the fire”.
It added that the body of the priests has been deposited at the mortuary for postmortem examination; adding that the commissioner of police in the state, CP John Bassey Abang, has ordered for a discreet investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.