By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has condemned in strong terms the early morning attack on a church in Lilu community, Ihiala Local Government Area of the State, which resulted in the death of one person, injuries to a few others, as well as partial destruction of the worship centre and other property, including the pastor’s vehicle.
According to a statement released on Sunday, December 8, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc mnips PhD, reacting to the attack launched by gunmen in the early hours of Sunday, described it as heinous and abominable.
The CP, as quoted in the press statement, stated that the attack on innocent worshippers is not only an assault on the Lilu community but also a grave affront to the shared values of peace, sanctity of human life, and freedom of worship.
The Command extended its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire Lilu community, while also assuring them that the perpetrators of the crime would be relentlessly hunted down and brought to justice.
The CP stressed that the Command, under his watch, will not allow criminals to instill fear or destabilize the peace the state has be working tirelessly to maintain.
He further assured that no community in Anambra State should be subjected to such brutality, reaffirming the Command’s resolve to sustain public safety and restore full confidence in the security architecture of the State.
In response to the attack, the PPRO disclosed that the Command has already intensified intelligence-driven operations, deployed the joint security team to the area, and strengthened surveillance across Ihiala and its environs.
According to SP Ikenga Tochukwu, operatives are currently pursuing every available lead connected to the incident, stressing that no resource will be spared in ensuring that those responsible are tracked down and made to face the full weight of the law.
The Police Command also urged residents of Lilu and neighbouring communities to remain calm and to cooperate fully with security agencies by providing useful and timely information that can assist ongoing investigations and ensure justice is served.
Reassuring the public further, the PPRO emphasized that the Anambra State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to the protection of lives and property and collective fight against criminality, not only in Ihiala but across the entire State.
The incident, which has sparked widespread concern among residents, has again drawn attention to the need for sustained collaboration between the public and security agencies in the in Anambra State.
Watch video from the scene of the attack below:
