A Sunday worship service turned deadly for Anglicans in Lulu community, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, after armed men stormed the church, killing the wife of the officiating priest and leaving several others injured.
The incident heightened tension across the state, especially as it occurred barely a day after gunmen reportedly opened fire at the Afor Market junction in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area, where multiple casualties were recorded.
The Anambra State Police Command on Monday confirmed the church attack and the killing of the priest’s spouse.
Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga verified the incident, noting that numerous congregants sustained injuries.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, strongly condemned the assault.
He labelled the attackers as armed criminals whose actions resulted in one death and serious injuries to several individuals.
Ikenga said: “The church building was partially burnt, and other properties were destroyed at a church premises in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area.
“The CP States that this heinous and abominable act, committed against innocent worshippers, is not only an assault on the community but a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship.”
“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.
“The CP notes that no community should be subjected to such brutality as the command will not allow criminals to instil fear or destabilise the peace we are working tirelessly to maintain.”
Ikenga further said the command had intensified intelligence-led operations, deployed a Joint Security Team, and improved surveillance across the affected area.
“The operatives are following every lead as no resource will be spared in ensuring that those responsible are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.
“The command urges residents to remain calm and cooperate with the Joint Security team by providing useful information that can assist ongoing investigations for justice to be served.
“The command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property across Ihiala and the entire state”, he said.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Delta State Police Command arrested a key suspect and his accomplice linked to the killing of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State.
Investigators also retrieved her mobile phone, and the police vowed to track down the remaining fugitive connected to the crime. She was killed on November 23, 2025.
Delta State Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said the arrests followed sustained intelligence gathering.
He said: “On December 6, 2025, operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Delta State Police Command, acting on intelligence, have arrested one Godwin Mngumi, aged 25 years, the security staff who allegedly murdered Justice Ifeoma Okogwu (Rtd) in Anambra State, and the phone of the late retired justice has also been recovered from him.”
“He confessed that he invited his friend, one Nnaji Obalum, and one other suspect at large, over to the house where they carried out the dastardly act together. Nnaji Obalum has also been arrested, while the manhunt for the third suspect is ongoing.”
