Some unidentified gunmen launched a deadly assault on St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu community, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing two people, destroying vehicles, and setting ablaze the cleric’s residence.
During a visit to the scene on Monday, PUNCH reported that the wife of the church priest was among the victims. Parts of the church building were also torched, and the once-busy surroundings appeared deserted with scattered belongings left behind.
Residents and eyewitnesses confirmed that the attack, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, disrupted worship activities and sparked widespread fear.
One eyewitness described the incident as “a brutal attack,” explaining that “the heavily armed hoodlums invaded the church as worshippers were getting ready for Sunday activity and started shooting, setting properties on the church premises, including buildings, ablaze.”
He added that the assailants “brutally murdered the wife of the church priest and one other person,” injured several worshippers, razed the priest’s house, burnt church vehicles, and damaged parts of the main church auditorium. Lamenting the silence over the incident, the source said, “This wicked act on a holy day in a Christian church and in a Christian community has not had a single mention from those who are fast to share happenings from elsewhere.”
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Confirming the attack, Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had already deployed intelligence teams and strengthened surveillance in the area.
According to him, “The Commissioner of Police… has condemned in the strongest terms the attack… which resulted in the death of one person. Some persons were inflicted with serious injuries, including the church building partially burnt, and other properties destroyed.”
He added that the CP viewed the assault as “a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship,” assuring that security agencies were committed to tracking down those responsible. “The Police shall relentlessly hunt down the perpetrators of this crime,” he stated.
Ikenga further noted that investigators were following up on all leads, saying, “No resource will be spared in ensuring that those responsible are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.” He urged residents to remain calm and assist security operatives with useful information.
Lilu, a border community between Anambra and Imo states, has been troubled by persistent gunmen activities for months, heightening security concerns in the region.