Residents of Lilu community in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday protested the persistent killings and attacks by gunmen, calling on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene.
The protesters — men, women and the elderly — decried what they described as the “mindless killings” that have continued in the area, including last Sunday’s attack at St. Andrews Anglican Church, Lilu, where the priest’s wife and one other person were reportedly murdered.
They marched from Aroma Junction, Awka, to the Government House (“Light House”), wielding placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is enough”, “Soludo rescue us”, “Lilu is bleeding”, “Over 100 killed by unknown gunmen”, and “Our parents are refugees”.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, received the protesters on behalf of the governor.
Speaking on behalf of the community, a representative identified as Emeka said the residents embarked on the protest to draw the government’s attention to what he called the worsening insecurity in Lilu.
He said the community had been forced to suspend the burial of two victims following news that two others who sustained deep machete cuts in the Sunday attack had died in hospital.
He said, “The brutal gun attacks in our community began some years ago. In our first ugly experience, 11 kinsmen were killed, and these killings have continued; several houses have been burnt, and the palace of our monarch was razed.
“And in the most recent attack that occurred at the St. Andrews Anglican Church on Sunday, nine people lost their lives.
“So far, over 20 indigenes have lost their lives in the recent spree of killings in our community. The gunmen took some kinsmen away, saying they were going to sacrifice them to their gods. Anyone who speaks out is usually killed the next day.
“We call on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to come to our immediate assistance. Every day remains a struggle for the community, as our kinsmen are getting kidnapped, slaughtered, or just disappearing without a trace.”
Emeka lamented that about 85 per cent of the community now lives in exile in neighbouring towns, adding that no household in Lilu has been spared from killings or kidnappings.
A representative of the community’s traditional ruler, Igwe Godson Onyediri, described the attacks — including the killing of the priest’s wife and destruction of church property — as “sacrilegious and inhumane”.
Responding, the SSG appealed for calm, assuring the protesters that the governor was aware of their plight and working to restore peace in Lilu and other troubled areas of the state.
He collected their placards and promised to brief the governor.
“The state governor is not relenting in his efforts to secure a lasting peace in Lilu and other trouble spots in parts of the state,” the SSG added.
About Author
