- Eyewitnesses said the armed men stormed the church compound as members were preparing for service
- He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security operatives
- He said officers are following credible leads and vowed that those responsible will be tracked down
Gunmen unleashed terror at St. Andrews Anglican Church in the Isiokwe area of Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, leaving two people dead and several properties in ruins.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the attackers struck in the early hours of Sunday, targeting the priest’s residence and parts of the church building.
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When residents and worshippers returned on Monday, the premises were deserted, with burnt vehicles and scattered belongings showing the scale of the violence.
The priest’s wife was among the victims killed in the attack, which disrupted Sunday worship and threw the entire community into panic.
Eyewitnesses said the armed men stormed the church compound as members were preparing for service, firing shots and burning structures, including the clergy house, church vehicles, and sections of the sanctuary. Many others sustained injuries as they fled for safety.
“This was a shocking and heartbreaking assault on a holy place,” a community source lamented, noting that such attacks rarely draw adequate attention from authorities.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident. Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu has ordered intensified surveillance, the deployment of joint security teams, and intelligence-led operations across the axis.
According to Ikenga, the attack—carried out on December 7—was a “heinous crime against innocent worshippers,” stressing that the command will not allow criminal elements to destabilize peace in the area.
He said officers are following credible leads and vowed that those responsible will be tracked down and prosecuted.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security operatives, and provide useful information to aid investigations.
The Lilu community, which borders Imo State, has been plagued by repeated incursions from gunmen over the past months.
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