Gunmen attack Anambra church, kill two

Some yet-to-be-ascertained armed assailants have attacked St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe in Lilu community of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing two persons, burning vehicles and the cleric’s apartment.

It was gathered that the wife of the priest of the church was among the two persons killed, while some parts of the church building were also burnt.

The premises and environs appeared deserted, while some properties were seen littering the place.

Some eyewitnesses and residents in the area confirmed to PUNCH Online that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, disrupted church activities and sent panic in the area.

One of the sources said, “A brutal attack occurred at the St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe in Lilu community of Ihiala LGA in the early hours of Sunday.

“The heavily armed hoodlums invaded the church as worshippers were getting ready for Sunday activity and started shooting, setting properties on the church premises, including buildings, ablaze.

“Unfortunately, they brutally murdered the wife of the church priest and one other person. They also injured many others, razed down the priest’s house to ashes, burnt down some church vehicles and other church properties, including a part of the main church building.

“This wicked act on a holy day in a Christian church and in a Christian community has not had a single mention from those who are fast to share happenings from elsewhere.”

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development on Monday, when contacted.

Ikenga added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has intensified intelligence-driven operations, deployed the joint security team and strengthened surveillance across the area. DL/Punch