SEE VIDEO: MIDNIGHT CARNAGE IN LILU: GUNMEN RAZE ANGLICAN CHURCH, KILL PRIEST’S WIFE AND ONE OTHER

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
8- DEC- 2025

The quiet community of Lilu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State was thrown into mourning on Sunday after armed assailants launched a devastating midnight attack on St. Andrews Anglican Church, leaving two people dead—including the wife of the resident priest—and destroying several buildings within the church premises.

The attackers reportedly stormed the church compound in the early hours of the morning, firing sporadically and setting fire to multiple structures. The assault came just as some early worshippers were preparing for the day’s service. Witnesses said the gunmen moved with brutal precision, torching vehicles, the priest’s residence, and other facilities as frightened residents fled for safety.

By Monday morning, when journalists arrived to assess the destruction, what was once a vibrant centre of worship had been reduced to ruins. Charred vehicles, shattered roofs, burnt personal items, and lingering smoke told the story of a night filled with terror. The church compound, normally bustling with worshippers, stood eerily quiet—its silence a stark reminder of the violence that occurred.

One eyewitness, still visibly shaken, recounted the chaos:
“They came in shooting everywhere. Everything was burning—cars, buildings, even the priest’s house. The priest’s wife and one other person were killed. Many were injured. It was like something from a nightmare.”

Residents expressed deep concern over the severity of the attack and lamented the lack of nationwide attention to what they described as a direct assault on their community and faith.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed the tragic incident. Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had strongly condemned the violence, calling it “utterly wicked and intolerable.” He noted that the CP has ordered intensified intelligence operations, strengthened joint security deployment, and enhanced surveillance across the area to prevent further occurrences.

Ikenga extended condolences on behalf of the Command to the bereaved families and the entire Lilu community. He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations as security agencies move to track down the perpetrators.