Lilu community in Ihiala LGA, Anambra State, woke up on Sunday to a scene of fear and heartbreak after unknown gunmen attacked St. Andrews Anglican Church, killing two people—among them the priest’s wife—and setting several buildings and vehicles on fire.

The attack happened in the early hours of the morning, just as some worshippers were preparing for service. Residents said the gunmen arrived heavily armed, shooting without warning and burning anything in sight, including the priest’s residence.

When journalists visited the church on Monday, the entire compound looked like a war zone. Burnt cars, collapsed roofs, scattered belongings, and the smell of smoke were all that remained. The church, usually filled with worshippers, was silent and empty.

A resident who witnessed the incident described it with trembling emotion:
“It was horrible. They came in shooting everywhere. They burnt vehicles, buildings, even the priest’s house. They killed the priest’s wife and another person. Many people were injured. It felt like something you only see in movies, not real life.”

Many villagers expressed worry that such a brutal attack on a Christian community had not received the national attention it deserved.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the attack “in the strongest terms,” describing it as wicked and unacceptable.

He said the CP has ordered more intelligence gathering, deployment of joint security operatives, and increased surveillance in the area. He assured the community that the police will go after those responsible.

Ikenga also extended the police command’s condolences to the families of those killed and to the entire Lilu community, urging residents to stay calm as investigations continue.