Gunmen Kill Anglican Priest’s Wife, Burn Church, Homes in Anambra Attack

Gunmen attacked Saint Andrew’s Church in Isiokwe, Anambra State, on Sunday morning, killing the wife of the Anglican Church pastor, Venerable Obiese, and destroying his property. The assailants reportedly targeted the pastor, who escaped, while setting fire to his house, cars, a motorcycle, and church vehicles. Residents said the attack occurred in the early hours of the day, leaving the community in shock.

Video footage obtained after the incident showed the pastor’s house completely destroyed and parts of the church partially burnt. Isiokwe, a community in Lilu Town under Ihiala Local Government Area, has experienced repeated attacks by gunmen over the past few years, prompting many residents to flee. In 2021, Labour Party gubernatorial candidate Obiora Agbasilo was abducted in Lilu and has not been seen since, amid reports of his death.

Anambra State Police confirmed the attack and the killing of the pastor’s wife. Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said others were injured, while Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu condemned the act, describing it as “heinous and abominable” and a threat to peace and freedom of worship. He assured that security forces have intensified intelligence operations, deployed joint teams, and strengthened surveillance to apprehend the attackers, urging residents to provide information that could aid the investigation.

Security has worsened in Anambra and other South-east states, but attacks on churches are unusual in the region. Most previous incidents targeted security agencies, government officials, and public facilities, resulting in hundreds of deaths and abductions. The Nigerian government has often blamed the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the violence, though the group denies involvement. IPOB, which campaigns for an independent Biafra state, saw its leader Nnamdi Kanu recently sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism.