By Jude Atupulazi
The Anambra State Police Command has described reports concerning police presence at St. Faith Anglican Church as misleading, cautioning against the misrepresentation of security interventions in ways that could heighten tensions surrounding the alleged ecclesiastical dispute.
In a press releases by the Command signed by its image maker, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, October 19, the Command said it wished to clarify that the deployment of police personnel to any location was guided by the need to maintain law and order, prevent a breakdown of peace, protect life and property, and ensure the safety of all concerned, irrespective of their affiliations or positions in the dispute.
The Command emphasised that police presence should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any party or position in an ecclesiastical disagreement, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force remained a neutral institution committed to enforcing the law, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and preventing disputes from escalating into threats to public peace and security.
‘The Command therefore urges media organisations, social media users, and other stakeholders to verify information before publication, exercise restraint in their reporting, and avoid disseminating narratives capable of inflaming tensions or deepening divisions within the religious community.
‘The Command reassures Ndi Anambra that it will continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities professionally, impartially, and without fear or favour. It will not allow any disagreement, religious or otherwise, to degenerate into a breach of public peace and security,’ the Command stated in the press release.
It will be recalled that Arch-Bishop Alexander Ibezim was suspended for six months by the Church of Nigeria, over his failure to cooperate in investigations into allegations of fraud against him. But he still refused to accept it and filed a suit against the Church of Nigeria and even threatened to pull out and rejoin the Church of England.
Last Sunday Arch Bishop Ibezim had, in defiance to his suspension, presided over service at St Faith Anglican Church, Awka, with dozens of police and Agunechemba operatives surrounding the church.
The Primate of Church of Nigeria, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, who issued the suspension order to Ibezim, had directed Rt Rev Samuel Ezeofor, Bishop of Aguata Diocese, to replace Ibezim. Ezeogfor was appointed as Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger. He was reported to have taken over last Wednesday amid tight security.
