Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Residents of Lilu community in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, have issued a stark condemnation of the ongoing insecurity plaguing their area, accusing both the state government and security agencies of neglect and abandonment as armed gunmen continue to terrorise the community with little resistance or intervention. The sustained violence, which residents say has persisted for years, has left scores dead, homes destroyed and families living in fear, prompting renewed calls for decisive action from authorities.
In a statement on Tuesday, Chief Barnabas Oko, chairman of the community, and Silas Nwabueze, secretary of Lilu Concerned Citizens, lamented that Lilu — once a peaceful agrarian settlement — has been transformed into a landscape of “bloodbath and mindless killings” in recent years. They said that despite repeated appeals for help, including a peaceful demonstration and a formal visit to the Anambra State Government House in Awka, there has been no meaningful response from the state government or police to stem the violence.
The latest attack, according to the residents, occurred on Sunday, December 7, when unknown assailants stormed St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in the community, killing the wife of the resident priest and another parishioner, and injuring several others. The gunmen are also accused of burning the priest’s house, two vehicles and damaging parts of the church building. Despite the gravity of the assault, which residents describe as an affront to both peace and freedom of worship, no arrests have been made.
“We have been calling for help for over five years,” said one resident, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Our elders have become refugees in their homeland, our youths have fled. We appealed directly to the governor, yet nothing has been done. There is no security presence here anymore — not even the few operatives that were once here.”
Community leaders argue that the violence is not random criminality but part of a broader trend of lawlessness and unchecked armed group activity across parts of southern Nigeria. Amnesty International and other rights groups have highlighted how areas in the South‑East, including Lilu, have at times become ungoverned spaces, effectively controlled by gunmen who operate with impunity, forcing residents into hiding and disrupting social life.
According to the Lilu leaders, the attacks have exacted a heavy toll: more than 100 indigenes killed, countless families displaced, and property destroyed. They described the environment as one where residents live in constant fear, unable to engage in normal economic or social activities without risking violence. “While other communities celebrated the festive season, our people could not return home,” the statement read, underscoring the depth of insecurity and its effect on community morale.
The residents also criticised what they described as an apparent absence of police or military protection, saying that even the Agunechemba security operatives once deployed were withdrawn a few days after their last appeal for help, without explanation. The perceived vacuum of law enforcement has fueled a sense among villagers that their plight is not being taken seriously by those in authority.
Community leaders expressed deep frustration over the lack of communication following their engagement with the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, who they said assured them that their grievances would be relayed to the governor. “We are worried whether Lilu is still part of Anambra State or whether it has been excised to a neighbouring state,” one youth representative said, reflecting a profound sense of abandonment.
Local youths and a community security group led journalists through damaged parts of the community, pointing to the ruins of the Anglican church, burnt vehicles and destroyed property as tangible evidence of the violence that has beset their homes. They also revealed that apart from recent high‑profile incidents, routine killings, abductions and heavy weapon attacks have continued almost daily, leaving villagers traumatized and questioning whether their lives matter to those tasked with their protection.
In response to queries about the situation, the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, acknowledged that no arrests have yet been made, but insisted that “serious security operations are ongoing in the area” and that further details would be communicated in due course. The police statement stopped short of offering a timeline or specifics about reinforcements or protective measures for the beleaguered community.
Security analysts note that the plight of Lilu is emblematic of broader insecurity challenges across parts of Nigeria, where communities distant from urban centers often remain vulnerable to armed groups that exploit gaps in governance and law enforcement. These analysts have pointed to the need for sustained intelligence‑led operations, improved coordination between local and federal security agencies, and community engagement as critical elements in addressing persistent violence.
Human rights advocates have also called for comprehensive investigations into attacks such as those in Lilu, urging authorities not just to pursue reactive measures but to address underlying factors that allow armed groups to thrive, including socio‑economic marginalisation, lack of employment opportunities for youth, and weak policing capacity.
For Lilu residents, the mounting toll of loss and fear has transcended rhetoric, pushing them to appeal not solely for rescue but for recognition — a demand that authorities acknowledge their existence and vulnerability, and act decisively to restore peace and normalcy in their community.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments