Gunmen Attack Anambra Church, Kill 2, Burn Buildings

Gunmen attacked an Anglican church in Anambra State on Sunday, killing 2 people and setting parts of the premises ablaze, police and local residents said on Monday.

The assailants stormed St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area, in the early hours of the morning as worshippers prepared for service. Witnesses said the attackers opened fire, killing the wife of the church priest and another person, while several others were injured.

Vehicles and the priest’s residence were set on fire, and parts of the church building were burnt during the attack. Residents said the incident caused panic in the community, leaving the church compound deserted hours later.

Anambra police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the attack and said the state’s commissioner of police, Ikioye Orutugu, had condemned the incident and deployed a joint security team to the area.

“This heinous act is a grave affront to our shared values of peace and freedom of worship,” Ikenga said. He added that intelligence-driven operations and increased surveillance were under way to track down the perpetrators.

Lilu, a border community between Anambra and Imo states, has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months as insecurity continues to spread across parts of southeastern Nigeria.

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