Tension Mounts in Anambra as Youths Attack Anglican, Catholic Churches in Igbariam Farm Settlement
There is growing tension at the Igbariam Farm Settlement in Anambra East Local Government Area following a violent attack on the Christ Anglican Church and Holy Trinity Catholic Church by youths from the community.
Venerable Obiora Igbokwe of Christ Anglican Church, Igbariam, who narrowly escaped being lynched during the incident, narrated the ordeal. He said the attackers, who claimed they came to harvest palm fruits in the historic farm settlement established by the defunct Eastern Nigerian government under late Premier Dr. Michael Okpara, caused significant damage to church property.
The attack occurred around 7:30am on Saturday, March 11, 2026 (noted as weekend in reports). Venerable Igbokwe recounted that about 25 youths arrived on motorcycles and in a white car, armed with weapons. They chanted war songs, broke glass windows and burglary proofs at the parsonage, and destroyed several structures.
“I sensed danger and quickly ran inside the parsonage with my son and we closed all the entrance doors,” he said. “They broke the glasses of the room where I took cover… I hid under the bed so they would not see me.”
The clergyman listed items stolen or destroyed, including one 3KVA generator, 30 pieces of 16mm rods, 15 goats, sheep and rams, mobile phones and chargers, aluminium frames, and clothes. The attackers also damaged the church’s water pump installation — two tanks were destroyed, and the submersible pump sank into the borehole after the rope holding it snapped. They further vandalised the ACM worship centre/carport and pulled down to ground level a six-classroom block of the Christ Foundation School, which was at the roofing stage.
“It was by the mercy of God that I and my family were saved,” Venerable Igbokwe stated, adding that 99.9% of the funds for the school block came from outsiders.
The incident is the latest in a series of encroachments. The cleric recalled that trouble started early last year when the same group of youths pulled down the church fence and assaulted workers at the Catholic church project on the same day.
Following complaints to the late President General of Igbariam, Dr. Chris Oforkansi, a panel of inquiry was set up. Bishops, priests, and chancellors from both the Anglican Diocese of Niger West and the Catholic Diocese of Aguleri testified. The churches presented their Certificates of Occupancy, and the matter was reportedly resolved amicably with the town union.
However, since a new town union government took over in January 2026, Igbariam youths have repeatedly invaded the church compound, claiming the land belongs to their fathers and insisting on harvesting palm fruits.
“I have appealed to them severally that the compound is a Church and they would always tell me that they are Igbariam people and that it is their fathers’ property,” Venerable Igbokwe said.
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