Gunmen Strike Lilu Community Again, Kill Resident, Abduct Palace Chief

The latest incident comes after an earlier assault in which an Anglican church, the vicarage and other properties were destroyed, leaving at least four persons dead and several others abducted.

Community sources said the attackers returned a few days ago under the guise of a “Christmas visit” before unleashing violence on residents. During the attack, a community member identified as Chineze Nwaka was killed, while Chief Oliver Umeaku, a palace chief, was abducted alongside others whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Speaking with journalists, a community spokesperson who identified himself simply as Emeka, citing security concerns, lamented the repeated attacks and what he described as government neglect.

“We are anguished and helpless,” he said, while leading journalists around affected homes and public buildings in the community.

According to him, the community had earlier drawn the attention of the Anambra State Government to the persistent insecurity following the pre-Christmas attack but received no response.

“After the first attack, we stormed the Government House in Awka, popularly called the Light House, to complain that for over five years we have been abandoned to the mercy of these gunmen,” Emeka said.

He explained that community members were received by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, who collected their placards, acknowledged their grievances and promised to brief Governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

“Since that visit, we have heard nothing from the government, while the attackers continue to come into our community freely, day and night,” he added.

The spokesperson questioned the apparent lack of decisive action by the state government, asking whether Lilu community still enjoys the protection of the Anambra State Government.

Journalists were also shown the remains of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, the parsonage, and burnt vehicles belonging to the parish priest, Rev. Canon Gabriel Obiesie, whose wife and children were reportedly killed during the earlier attack. The cleric, who sustained serious injuries, is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The palace of the community’s traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Igwe Godson Onyediri, was also vandalised during the attacks.

Efforts to get a response from the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said investigations into the Lilu attacks were ongoing.

The community spokesman dismissed the assurance, insisting that no government or security official had visited the community since the attacks began in 2019.

“At this point, we are willing to accept help from anyone who is genuinely ready to assist us,” he said.