Two Killed as Gunmen Attack Anglican Church in Anambra

By Maryjane Austine

Two Killed as Gunmen Attack Anglican Church in Anambra

Two people have been killed after armed assailants attacked St Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu community, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The attackers also set fire to vehicles, parts of the church building, and the cleric’s residence.

During a visit to the church premises on Monday, our correspondent observed that the compound was deserted and damaged items were scattered across the area. It was gathered that the priest’s wife was among those killed in the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

Residents and eyewitnesses told PUNCH Online that the incident created fear in the community and disrupted Sunday worship, as the attackers struck while worshippers were preparing for service.

One resident said, “A brutal attack occurred at the St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe in Lilu community of Ihiala LGA 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.

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.”

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The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack on Monday. He said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had ordered intensified intelligence-led operations and deployed a joint security team to the area.

Ikenga quoted the Commissioner as saying, “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 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.

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“The CP notes that no community should be subjected to such brutality, as the command will not allow criminals to instill fear or destabilise the peace we are working tirelessly to maintain.

“In view of the above, the command has already intensified intelligence-driven operations, deployed the Joint Security Team, and strengthened surveillance across the area.”

Ikenga added that officers were following available leads and that the command would spare no effort in apprehending those responsible. He urged residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with useful information.

The Lilu community, which borders Imo State, has experienced repeated attacks by gunmen in recent months.