Police begin manhunt as gunmen kill priest’s wife, one other in Anambra church

Gunmen have killed two persons during an attack on St. Andrews Anglican Church in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the wife of the priest of the church was among the two persons killed, while vehicles and some parts of the church building were also burnt on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident via a statement issued on Monday.

Ikenga quoted the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, as condemning the attack.

The police commissioner said: “This abominable act, committed against innocent worshippers, was not only an assault on the community but a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship.

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“The Command extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire Lilu community and assures the public that the Police shall relentlessly hunt down the perpetrators of this crime.

“Our community should not be subjected to such brutality as the command will not allow criminals to instill fear or destabilise the peace we are working tirelessly to maintain.”

Orutugu urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with the joint security team investigating the matter by providing useful information that can assist ongoing investigations for justice to be served.

He said that the police steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property across Anambra State.

The Star