At least 11 persons have died and about 80 others have been wounded in what looks like a gun battle inside a church this Sunday.

The police are still trying to unravel the mystery behind the heavy exchange of gunfire which happened during the 6.00 a.m. mass at St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Areea of Anambra State.

According to accounts by various worshipers who witnessed it all, the congregation were praying and singing songs of supplication when the sound of guns rented the air.

According to one of the witnesses, a man wearing a black T-shirt on a pair of jeans trousers started the shooting. After the first round of shooting, another man allegedly stormed the church and opened fire. In no time the church building was under heavy siege and worshipers scampered for safety in all directions. The officiating priest was one of the lucky survivors as he made good his escape through the back door of the altar.

As the shooting died down, the floor of the church flowed with blood from the dead and injured.

Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano was one of the first government functionaries to brave it to the scene of the tragedy on Sunday.

Obiano told newsmen that the shooting was apparently caused by a squabble between two sons of the Amakwa, Ozubulu community who live abroad. The Governor expressed regret that a quarrel between two men could lead to that heinous crime which was committed inside a church during worship.

Governor Obiano who also visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi where many of the injured are being treated, promised that the criminals would be brought to justice.

Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr Garba Umar who also visited the scene of the shooting, said investigations had just commenced and that no information could be given at this stage. He however said that three persons were helping the police with information. He also confirmed the suspicion that the shooting was the handiwork of indegenes of Amakwa in Ozubulu.