Some armed attackers who have not yet been identified attacked St. Andrews Anglican Church in the Lilu community of the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. They killed two people, set cars and the priest’s apartment on fire, and stole money.
According to The PUNCH, our reporter who went to the church today learned that the priest’s wife was one among the two people that died. They also learned that several elements of the church building were burned.
The building and the area around it looked empty, and there were some things lying around.
Some people who saw what happened and lived in the region told our reporter that the incident, which happened early on Sunday, interrupted church services and caused a lot of fear in the area.
One of the individuals added, “There was a brutal attack at the St. Andrews Anglican Church in the Lilu community of Ihiala LGA on Sunday morning.”
As people were getting ready for Sunday service, the heavily armed thugs broke into the church and started shooting, lighting buildings and other things on fire on the church grounds.
“Sadly, they killed the wife of the church priest and another person in a horrible way. They hurt a lot of other people too. They burned down the priest’s residence, some church cars, and other church property, including part of the main church building.
“This evil act on a holy day in a Christian church and community has not been mentioned by anyone who is quick to share news from other places.”
Today, when we called the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, he confirmed the news.
Ikenga went on to say that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has stepped up operations based on intelligence, sent out the joint security team, and improved surveillance around the area.
He stated, “The Commissioner of Police for Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has condemned the attack by armed criminals on the morning of December 7, 2025, which killed one person, in the strongest terms.”
“Some people were hurt badly, including the church building being partially burned and other property being damaged at a church in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
“The CP says that this horrible and terrible act against innocent worshippers is not only an attack on the community, but also a serious attack on our shared values of freedom of worship, peace, and the sanctity of life.”
“The command sends its heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the victims and the whole Lilu town. It also promises the public that the police will do everything they can to find the people who did this atrocity.
“The CP says that no community should have to deal with this kind of violence, because the command won’t let criminals scare people or upset the peace we are working so hard to keep.”
“Because of what was said above, the command has already stepped up intelligence-driven operations, sent in the Joint Security Team, and increased surveillance in the area.”
Ikenga said that police are following every lead and that no resources will be spared to make sure that those guilty are caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law.
“The command asks residents to stay calm and work with the Joint Security team by giving them useful information that can help with ongoing investigations so that justice can be served.”
He went on to say, “The command is still committed to protecting lives and property in Ihiala and the whole state.”
The Lilu settlement, which is one of the towns in Ihiala LGA, is a border town between Anambra and Imo states. Gunmen have been holding it hostage for months.
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