Gunmen kill pastor’s wife, burn church property in Anambra

Gunmen attacked Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu Town, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of the pastor’s wife and the destruction of church property and vehicles.
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According to residents, the gunmen stormed the church compound in the early hours of Sunday. The wife of the pastor was tragically shot dead in the attack. The pastor, Venerable Obiese, managed to escape the assailants.
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The gunmen proceeded to burn down the pastor’s house and several of his vehicles. They also destroyed church vehicles and other property on the premises.
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The Anambra State Police Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack and the death of the pastor’s wife, adding that other people were injured during the assault.
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The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the attack on the place of worship and assured the public that the perpetrators would be apprehended.
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The Commissioner described the violence as a heinous and abominable act, a grave affront to the shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship.
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In response, the Command has launched an intelligence operation, deployed a joint security team, and strengthened surveillance across the Ihiala Local Government Area to track down the gunmen.
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The Nigerian government has repeatedly blamed the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group advocating for an independent state of Biafra, for the insecurity. IPOB, whose leader Nnamdi Kanu was recently sentenced for terrorism, has consistently denied any involvement in the attacks on non-government targets.
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