Anambra CP, Nnanna Oji Ama, during a meeting with Anglican Church leaders over the leadership dispute at St Faith Anglican Church, Awka, on Friday. Photo: Anambra Police Command
The Anambra State Police Command has held a meeting with parties involved in the leadership dispute at St Faith Anglican Church, Awka, urging them to seek a peaceful resolution through the church hierarchy while respecting ongoing court proceedings.
The Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, held the meeting at his office on Friday as part of efforts to prevent the dispute from escalating into a breakdown of law and order.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the commissioner urged the parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of heightening tensions.
The statement said, “During the meeting, the Commissioner acknowledged the ongoing court proceedings relating to the matter and emphasised the importance of respecting the judicial process.
“He urged the parties to pursue peaceful dialogue and explore appropriate channels within the church’s established ecclesiastical hierarchy to resolve their differences, without prejudice to the ongoing court proceedings.”
Ama warned that parishioners and worshippers should not be drawn into disagreements among church leaders or made to bear the consequences of the dispute.
He also cautioned against inflammatory statements and confrontational conduct, warning that the police would take lawful measures to prevent any breach of public peace.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s impartiality, saying officers would address legitimate security concerns, respect the authority of the court and protect the rights of all parties.
“The Anambra State Police Command therefore calls on church leaders, parishioners, and other stakeholders to cooperate with ongoing peace efforts, respect due process, and refrain from any conduct capable of escalating the dispute into a security challenge,” the statement added.
PUNCH Online reports that the meeting comes amid a leadership crisis in the Anglican Diocese of Awka following a directive by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Henry Ndukuba, for the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, Alexander Ibezim, to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave.
Ndukuba said the compulsory leave followed reports from administrative panels investigating developments in the diocese, including a visitation team led by the church’s Dean.
He said the measure was intended to facilitate a thorough investigation, restore peace and promote reconciliation.
Ndukuba appointed the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Samuel Ezeofor, to oversee the Diocese of Awka and the Province of the Niger during Ibezim’s absence.
However, the Awka Diocesan Board rejected the directive and Ezeofor’s appointment, deepening the disagreement over the leadership of the diocese. The dispute has also led to court proceedings involving the church leaders.
The police had earlier denied taking sides in the dispute after officers were deployed to St Faith Anglican Church during a service conducted by Ibezim. The command said the deployment was intended to maintain law and order and protect lives and property.
The command urged church leaders, parishioners and other stakeholders to cooperate with peace efforts, respect due process and avoid actions that could turn the disagreement into a security challenge.