THIS DAWN — The quiet community of Lilu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State was thrown into mourning in the early hours of Sunday following a brutal attack by gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe, leaving one woman dead and extensive destruction in their wake.
Residents awoke to gunshots and chaos as the attackers stormed the church premises around dawn, targeting the priest’s residence and church property.
Witnesses say the assailants murdered the wife of the church priest, whose name had not been officially released at press time, before setting the priest’s house ablaze.
Several church vehicles, documents, and property were completely burnt, with the church compound left littered with debris and ashes.
The scale of destruction has deepened fear across the community, which has witnessed sporadic criminal incursions in recent months.
Security agencies had not yet issued an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
However, residents say the attackers operated unchallenged for several minutes before fleeing.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
A community source described the scene as “devastating,” noting that the late priest’s wife was well-known for her service to women and youth in the church.
“Her killing has shattered everyone. The house was burnt to the ground. Nothing was left,” the resident said.
The attack has reignited debates around Anambra’s security situation, especially in the Ihiala axis.
That axis has seen repeated incursions by armed groups commonly referred to as “unknown gunmen.”
Fear of the unknown
Many residents say they no longer feel safe despite state assurances of improved security.
Reacting to the incident, public affairs commentator, Mazi Odera, expressed frustration over what he described as a deteriorating security climate.
In a sharp commentary, he wrote:
“We should celebrate SOLUTION, we should enjoy the dividend of 4×4… I hate to say I told us so.”
The comment referenced the nickname of the current administration in Anambra State—”SOLUTION”.
It has sparked discussions online about governance, accountability, and the rising wave of attacks targeting rural communities and religious institutions.
Community leaders in Lilu have called for immediate investigation and the deployment of additional security personnel to forestall further tragedies.
Meanwhile, church members and villagers remain in grief, struggling to come to terms with the killing and destruction unleashed on their place of worship.
Authorities are expected to provide updates as investigations progress.
Watch video clip of the destruction below:
Gunmen Attack Joint Police Patrol in Anambra
In another development, gunmen suspected IPOB members, on Wednesday, carried out a coordinated armed attack on joint police patrol teams along the Abatete–Eziowelle road in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the assailants—armed with general-purpose machine guns and AK-47 rifles—ambushed the officers.
They operated with a white Toyota Hummer bus, a black Lexus 350 SUV, and a white Toyota Highlander, all with unidentified registration numbers.
The attackers reportedly opened heavy fire on the patrol team, injuring at least one police officer before carting away two service rifles during the assault.
The gunmen escaped the scene before additional security reinforcements could arrive.
Residents in the area said the sound of gunfire sent commuters and locals running for safety, further heightening fears about worsening insecurity in parts of Anambra.
Public reactions online expressed deep concern about the increasing boldness of armed groups in the state.
One user lamented: “When will these ugly situations end? How did we get here? No peace outside, no peace at home. This is terrible.”
Police authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but security operations have reportedly intensified across the Abatete, Eziowelle, and Nkpor axis to track the fleeing assailants and recover the stolen rifles.
The incident adds to a growing list of attacks targeting security personnel in the South-East.
It also raised renewed calls for both federal and state governments to adopt more effective strategies to curb violence linked to armed separatist groups and criminal networks in the region.
