At least one person has been killed and several individuals injured, after gunmen attacked an Anglican church in Lilu, Ihiala LGA of Anambra.
The attackers were said to have invaded the premises during a church activity on Sunday, shooting sporadically before setting parts of the building on fire.
In a statement on Monday, Tochukwu Ikenga, police spokesperson in the state, said the church building was partially burnt, while some worshippers sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Ikenga, who described the assault as “heinous”, said the attack poses a serious threat to peace and safety in the community.
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“The Command extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire Lilu community and assures the public that the Police shall relentlessly hunt down the perpetrators of this crime,” the statement reads.
Ikioye Orutugu, commissioner of police in the state, said security operatives had been deployed to the area, with a joint team conducting intelligence-led operations to track the assailants.
He noted that officers were “following every lead” to ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
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The command appealed to residents to remain calm and assist the investigation with credible information.
The attack adds to the wave of violent attacks on churches across the country amid allegations of Christian genocide.
On November 30, gunmen invaded a church in Kogi state, kidnapped a pastor, his wife, and several congregants during an early Sunday service.
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