St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu community of Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, was attacked by armed assailants in the early hours of Sunday.

Two people were killed, including the wife of the church priest, while vehicles and the cleric’s apartment were set ablaze.

By Monday, the compound was deserted, with burnt debris and scattered belongings marking the aftermath.

Residents described the attack as sudden and brutal. “The heavily armed hoodlums invaded the church as worshippers were getting ready for Sunday activity and started shooting, setting properties ablaze,” one source said.

Another added: “They murdered the wife of the priest and one other person, injured many others, razed the priest’s house, burnt vehicles, and destroyed part of the main church building.”

The violence disrupted church activities and spread panic across the community.

Anambra State Police Command spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident. He said Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu had condemned the attack, describing it as “a heinous and abominable act committed against innocent worshippers.”

According to Ikenga, the command has intensified intelligence‑driven operations, deployed a joint security team, and strengthened surveillance.

“No resource will be spared in ensuring those responsible are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law,” he said.

Police urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing useful information.

Another Deadly Attack at Njikoka

In another development, the Anambra State Police Command has said the deadly attack in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, was the result of a confrontation between rival cult groups.

The incident occurred at the Afor Market junction in Nawfia, forcing residents to flee to neighbouring communities for safety.

Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command had earlier arrested two suspects over an alleged plan by rival cult groups to unleash violence in the area.

In a statement, Ikenga said operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cult Squad, Enugwu-Ukwu, had, four days before the incident, acted on intelligence and arrested two suspected cultists, recovering a firearm from them.

According to him, the suspects have been providing useful information to assist police efforts to prevent further attacks in Awka and surrounding communities.

Despite the preventive measures, Ikenga disclosed that some members of the gang, operating in a black Lexus jeep with yet-to-be-identified registration number, stormed the Afor Nawfia Market on the evening of December 7, 2025, and opened fire indiscriminately.

He said the attack led to the death of four persons before the assailants fled the scene.

The police spokesman noted that although the attackers escaped before the arrival of security operatives, preliminary findings have provided useful leads, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the suspects.

He assured that the Anambra State Police Command remains committed to tackling cultism and violent crimes in the state and promised to update the public as investigations continue.