Gunmen Strike Anambra Church, Claim Two lives 

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…“This heinous act by gunmen against innocent worshippers is not only an assault on the community but a grave affront to our shared values of peace, the sanctity of life, and freedom of worship.

ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Unidentified Gunmen attacked St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu community, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing two people, setting vehicles ablaze, and burning the priest’s apartment.

A correspondent who visited the scene on Monday reported that the wife of the church’s priest was among the deceased, while parts of the church building were also damaged by fire. The premises and surrounding area appeared deserted, with scattered debris and destroyed property.

Eyewitnesses and local residents told our correspondent that the attack, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, disrupted church activities and spread panic across the community. Some residents expressed outrage that such a violent act on a holy day in a Christian church had received little attention compared to incidents elsewhere.

The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack on Monday. Ikenga said that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has intensified intelligence-led operations, deployed joint security teams, and strengthened surveillance across the area.

According to Ikenga, “The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns the attack that occurred on the morning of December 7, 2025, carried out by armed criminals. The attack by gunmen resulted in the death of one person, serious injuries to others, partial burning of the church building, and destruction of additional property.

“This heinous act by gunmen against innocent worshippers is not only an assault on the community but a grave affront to our shared values of peace, the sanctity of life, and freedom of worship. The command extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the entire Lilu community and assures the public that the perpetrators will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.”