Two persons, including the wife of a cleric, were killed on Sunday when yet-to-be-identified assailants launched a violent attack on St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe, in the Lilu community of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
During a visit to the church premises on Monday, a scene of devastation, including burnt vehicles, charred remains of the priest’s apartment, and scattered personal items, was observed, according to The PUNCH.
The area was deserted, with residents still gripped by fear hours after the attack.
According to eyewitnesses, the armed men invaded the church in the early hours of Sunday as worshippers were preparing for service.
One resident, who confirmed the attack, said, “A brutal attack occurred at the St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe in Lilu community of Ihiala Local Government Area in the early hours of Sunday.
“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.”
The witness added, “Unfortunately, they brutally murdered the wife of the church priest and one other person.
“They also injured many others, razed down the priest’s house to ashes, burnt down some church vehicles and other church properties, including a part of the main church building.
“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.”
The attack disrupted all church activities, forcing worshippers to flee for safety.
Residents said the operation lasted several minutes, during which sustained gunfire was heard across the community.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had ordered an immediate security response and intensified surveillance in the area.
Ikenga said, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has condemned in the strongest terms the attack in the morning of December 7, 2025, carried out by armed criminals, 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 at a church premises in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
“The CP states that this heinous and abominable act, committed against innocent worshippers, is not only an assault on the community, but a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship.”
The police spokesperson stated that the command “extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire Lilu community and assures the public that the Police shall relentlessly hunt down the perpetrators of this crime.”
Ikenga further stated that joint security forces had been deployed to forestall further attacks.
“The command has already intensified intelligence-driven operations, deployed the Joint Security Team, and strengthened surveillance across the area,” he said.
He assured that officers were following actionable leads and that “no resource will be spared in ensuring that those responsible are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.”
The police spokesperson also urged residents to remain calm and provide useful information that could aid ongoing investigations.
Lilu, a border community between Anambra and Imo states, has endured recurring security threats for months, with gunmen frequently attacking residents and security formations.
