Gunmen Attack Anambra Church, Kill Pastor’s Wife and Set Sanctuary Ablaze

Awka, Anambra – December 10, 2025

A quiet Sunday morning in Anambra State turned bleak after gunmen attacked Saint Andrew’s Church in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area, burning down the church, several vehicles, and other structures within the compound, including the pastor’s house.

The assault left two people dead, including the wife of the Anglican pastor, while several others sustained serious injuries. Since the killings, both the church premises and the surrounding neighborhood have remained deserted.

Witnesses said the heavily armed attackers arrived as worshippers were preparing to begin the Sunday service. They opened fire on the congregation and set the church ablaze before escaping. “They started shooting sporadically, prompting us to abandon the service and flee for our lives,” one eyewitness recounted.

Authorities later confirmed the deaths and extensive damage. The Anambra State Police Command reported that not only the church sanctuary but also other buildings on the premises were completely destroyed.

The incident has intensified growing concerns over escalating violence against Christians across Nigeria, where religious institutions are increasingly targeted.

The attack comes barely two weeks after the assault on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, Kwara State, where suspected Fulani terrorists abducted at least 38 Christian worshippers, leaving the community shattered.

According to a recent report by Intersociety, more than 52,250 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009.

During the same period, at least 18,000 Christian churches and 2,200 Christian schools have been destroyed, averaging no fewer than 60 churches burned or attacked each month.

The trend has worsened: in 2025 alone, Intersociety estimates that over 7,000 Christians were killed by mid-year, with thousands more abducted and entire communities displaced.

The burning of Saint Andrew’s Church and the killing of the pastor’s wife therefore fit into a much larger national tragedy.

Places of worship, clergy, and ordinary believers continue to face deliberate, repeated attacks that many observers describe as part of a long-running pattern of targeted anti-Christian violence.

Local leaders have called for strengthened security and accountability, describing the killings as both a national tragedy and a heavy blow to the spiritual life of the community. As investigations continue, residents of the state are left counting their losses and demanding accountability.