A severe and deeply unsettling attack took place in Anambra State on Sunday when gunmen stormed Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu Town, in the early hours of the morning. The attackers killed the wife of the resident pastor and set several properties on fire, including the pastor’s home, church vehicles and private vehicles belonging to members of the community.
Residents who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES explained that the pastor, Venerable Obiese, was inside his residence when the attackers arrived. Witnesses said the gunmen appeared to have targeted him specifically. He managed to escape, but his wife was shot and killed during the assault. Members of the congregation described her death as painful and deeply traumatic for the entire community.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the attackers set fire to the pastor’s residence and burnt it completely. Video clips recorded by local residents show the ruins of the house, along with two destroyed cars and a motorcycle. Church vehicles were also burnt. The church building suffered significant damage, and parts of it were left completely destroyed by the fire. Residents described the scene as shocking and heartbreaking, especially in a community that once lived in peace.
Lilu has experienced repeated attacks from armed groups in recent years. Violence intensified in 2021, forcing many residents to flee. The community gained national attention that same year when Obiora Agbasilo, the Labour Party candidate for the Anambra governorship election, was abducted in Lilu. He has not been seen since, and many residents fear that he may have been killed.
The Anambra Police Command confirmed Sunday’s attack in a statement issued on Monday. The spokesperson, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, said that several people were injured. The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the attack and described it as a cruel and abominable act committed against innocent worshippers. He said the killing of the pastor’s wife and the destruction of church property represent a serious attack on peace, human life and religious freedom.
The commissioner assured the public that security operatives have intensified intelligence operations and have deployed a joint security team to track down the attackers. He urged residents to remain calm and to assist security agencies by providing useful information that could help in the investigation.
The incident reflects the worsening insecurity that has affected Anambra State and the wider South East region. In recent years, the region has witnessed frequent violent attacks on police stations, government facilities, political figures and civilians. The attack on a church marks a concerning development and shows that the security situation continues to evolve in dangerous ways.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly accused the Indigenous People of Biafra of carrying out many of the violent attacks in the region. The group has consistently denied this accusation and has claimed that criminal groups are responsible. The group is known for its push for the creation of an independent state of Biafra. Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was recently convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja, an event that has increased tension in the region.
As residents of Lilu mourn the death of the pastor’s wife and assess the destruction left behind, many continue to fear for their safety. Homes, churches and public spaces now remain under tighter surveillance while security agencies work to restore peace and prevent further attacks. The incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures, long term protection for rural communities and a deeper investigation into the causes of the unrest that continues to affect parts of the South East.
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