Gunmen launched a deadly attack on St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu community of Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, leaving two people dead and several others injured.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 7, as worshippers prepared for the morning service. Witnesses said the attackers stormed the church premises, opened fire, and set vehicles, buildings, and the cleric’s residence on fire.
Among those killed was the wife of the church’s priest, according to accounts shared with Punch. The assailants also reportedly razed the priest’s home, destroyed multiple church vehicles, and damaged sections of the main church building.
An eyewitness described the scene as “a brutal and shocking attack on a place of worship,” lamenting the scale of destruction and the loss of innocent lives.
Confirming the incident on Monday, December 8, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the attack, which he said resulted in one confirmed fatality at the time of reporting, with others sustaining serious injuries and parts of the church property burnt.
The Commissioner described the assault as “heinous and abominable,” stressing that it targeted not only a religious community but also the core values of peace, life, and freedom of worship.
He assured residents that the police have intensified intelligence-led operations and deployed a Joint Security Team to the area. Surveillance has also been heightened to prevent further attacks.
According to Ikenga, investigators are pursuing all available leads, with a commitment to ensuring that those behind the incident are apprehended and prosecuted. He urged residents to remain calm and provide any useful information that could aid the ongoing investigation.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Ihiala and the entire state.