ISIOKWE, Anambra State — A violent Sunday morning attack on St. Andrew's Anglican Church in the Lilu community has left two worshippers dead, including the wife of the church's priest, and marked a distressing escalation of insecurity in Nigeria's southeastern region.
The assault, which occurred in the early hours of December 7, 2025, saw heavily armed assailants invade the church premises in Isiokwe, Ihiala Local Government Area, as congregants were preparing for service. Eyewitnesses described a scene of terror where the gunmen opened fire before setting buildings ablaze.
The wife of the parish priest, Venerable Obiese, was among those killed. While the priest escaped unharmed, his residence (the parsonage) was completely razed, along with at least two vehicles and a motorcycle. The main church building was also partially burnt. Another victim, whose identity remains unknown, was also killed in the attack.
Official Condemnation and Police Response
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the incident. In a strongly worded statement, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the "heinous and abominable act," describing it as "a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship".
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the command has "intensified intelligence-driven operations" and deployed a Joint Security Team to the area. The police have appealed for calm and urged residents to provide useful information to aid the investigation and ensure the perpetrators "face the full weight of the law".
A Broader Pattern of Violence
The church attack was not an isolated event but part of a series of violent incidents that shook multiple communities in Anambra State over the same weekend, ending a brief period of relative calm.
* In Nawfia, Njikoka LGA: A clash between rival cult groups at Afor Market on the evening of December 7 resulted in the deaths of four persons. Police noted that despite arresting two suspects days prior based on credible intelligence, armed assailants still carried out the attack.
* In Akwaihedi, Nnewi South LGA: A separate, disturbing incident involving a killing was captured on a viral video, though community leaders have disputed the narrative surrounding the event.
An Attack on a New Frontier
Analysts note that while attacks on security formations, government officials, and infrastructure have become tragically common in the Southeast, a direct assault on a church during worship hours represents a concerning new frontier in the region's insecurity. Lilu, a border community between Anambra and Imo states, has endured recurring security threats for months.
The incident has sent renewed fear through communities still struggling to rebuild after years of violence and displacement. As investigations continue, the attack underscores the complex and persistent security challenges facing the region and the urgent need for effective strategies to protect lives, property, and places of worship.
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