Drama erupted at the Chapel of Redemption Church on the University of Calabar campus on Sunday after operatives of the Cross River State Police Command halted an ongoing service over a lingering leadership dispute.
Worshippers were thrown into confusion as police officers took over the church premises amid tension between two factions laying claim to the leadership of the church.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Godwin Etim, who led the police team, said intelligence available to the command indicated that allowing the service to continue could result in violence.
“My duty first as a police officer is to protect lives and property. From what I have seen, if I allow the service to continue, it might lead to bloodshed in this church,” Etim told the congregation.
The police officer said he had consulted representatives of both factions before ordering the service to end.
“I have spoken to the two Reverends, to the two chaplains, I had also spoken to the members of the board of trustees, and they all agreed that the service should wind to an end,” he said.
Etim said the decision was taken to prevent the situation from escalating into a physical confrontation.
He added that both factions had been invited to the police command for a meeting aimed at resolving the dispute.
“We have invited both factions to our office tomorrow by 12 noon to enable us to rub minds with them, and to look at the issues raised and to see if there are solutions we can proffer to it,” he said.
The DCP directed members of the congregation to leave the church premises to prevent any possible violence or damage to property.
Leadership Dispute Triggers Tension
Tension reportedly heightened during the 8 a.m. service after some key church leaders, who were said to be restrained by a court order from interfering with the rights of the embattled chaplain, Rev. Dr. Joseph Ushie, arrived at the church.
The leaders were reportedly loyal to the interim chaplain, Rev. Israel Eyo, who was seated close to Ushie during the service.
The development was allegedly misconstrued by supporters of Ushie as an attempt to take over the church, resulting in a rowdy atmosphere among worshippers.
In an effort to prevent a breakdown of law and order, DCP Etim ordered the service to be discontinued.
Neither Rev. Dr. Ushie nor Rev. Eyo mounted the pulpit during the service. Both remained seated among the congregation while Dr. Glory Njar led a prayer session before the police halted the gathering.
The police command said both factions would be engaged in dialogue as efforts continue to resolve the leadership dispute and restore lasting peace within the church.
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