Gunmen kill Anglican pastor’s wife, burn church in Anambra
Gunmen on Sunday morning attacked Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu Town, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing the wife of the resident cleric and razing several properties.
The attack, residents told PREMIUM TIMES, occurred in the early hours of the day.
The assailants were said to have targeted the pastor, identified as Venerable Obiese, who narrowly escaped their gunfire. His wife, however, was shot dead during the invasion.
A resident who declined to be named said the attackers went on to set ablaze the cleric’s house, vehicles and other belongings. Video clips recorded shortly after the incident show the building completely reduced to rubble, alongside two burnt cars and a motorcycle. The church auditorium was also partly torched.
Communities around Lilu have endured multiple violent attacks in recent years, forcing many locals to flee. In 2021, Labour Party governorship candidate Obiora Agbasilo was abducted in the town and has remained missing, with unconfirmed reports suggesting he may have been killed. Ihiala shares boundaries with parts of Imo State, another area battling persistent insecurity.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the latest attack. Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said other persons sustained injuries. He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, as condemning the assault, describing it as an affront to peace, human life and freedom of worship. The commissioner sympathised with the victims and pledged that security operatives would pursue and apprehend the perpetrators.
Ikenga announced that the command has intensified intelligence operations, deployed a joint security team and increased surveillance in the area. Residents were urged to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible information that could help track the gunmen.
