Two persons, including the wife of the resident priest, were killed on Sunday when armed assailants attacked St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe, in the Lilu community of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The gunmen also set fire to vehicles, the cleric’s residence, and parts of the church building.
When our correspondent visited the church on Monday, the premises were deserted, with charred structures, burnt vehicles and scattered belongings lying across the compound.
Residents and eyewitnesses told PUNCH Online that the attackers struck in the early hours of the day as worshippers prepared for service, opening fire before setting several properties ablaze. The assault disrupted church activities and triggered panic across the community, which has suffered repeated incursions by gunmen in recent months.
“They invaded the church heavily armed and started shooting,” an eyewitness recounted. “They killed the priest’s wife and one other person, injured many, burnt the priest’s house to ashes and destroyed church vehicles and part of the main church building. It was a wicked act on a holy day.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had ordered intensified intelligence-led operations and deployed a joint security team to the area.
“The Commissioner condemns in the strongest terms the attack carried out by armed criminals, which resulted in the death of one person, serious injuries to others, and the partial burning of the church building,” Ikenga said.
He described the assault as “heinous and abominable,” stressing that it violated the sanctity of life, peace, and freedom of worship.
Ikenga added that the command is pursuing all leads to track down the perpetrators. “No resource will be spared to ensure those responsible are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The police urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing useful information.
Lilu, a border town between Anambra and Imo states, has been under intense pressure from armed groups for months, with repeated attacks disrupting life in the community.
