Amnesty International has condemned the deadly attack on St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Lilu, Anambra State.
The organisation issued a statement on Monday, describing the incident as a gruesome assault by armed men.
Gunmen attacked the church early on Sunday, killing a man and abducting the Reverend’s wife.
Her body was later found murdered and partially unclothed.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the gruesome attack by gunmen on St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Lilu community, Ihiala LGA, Anambra state, in the early hours of Sunday, 7 December 2025.
“The authorities must impartially and transparently investigate the attack and ensure that suspects are brought to justice,” Amnesty said.
The group also urged authorities to examine the lapses that allowed the attack.
It noted that the Agunechemba Security base is located within the church.
“The authorities must also investigate security lapses that enabled the attack, as the operational base for Agunechemba Security personnel deployed by the Anambra state government to Lilu is located in the church,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International stated that the killing reflects the government’s continued failure to protect citizens.
It added that thousands of Nigerians have suffered similar attacks in the past decade.
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“This shocking incident underscores the authorities’ persistent failure to protect people from attacks by armed groups that have killed and abducted thousands of Nigerians over the past decade.
“Whatever security measures that have been implemented by the government of President Bola Tinubu are clearly ineffective,” it added.
The group stated that armed groups have taken control of several communities since 2023.
