CALABAR – The Cross River State Police Command has shut the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption following a rowdy session during Sunday’s 8am service, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Godwin Etim, saying the action was taken to prevent possible bloodshed NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
Etim ordered the immediate closure of the chapel after tension reportedly escalated between supporters of the former chaplain, Rev. Dr Joseph Ushie, and those backing the interim leadership of the church.
The DCP said the police intervention was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order, warning that the situation could degenerate into infighting, violence and loss of lives and property.
The crisis reportedly began when Ushie, who had been dismissed from the Assemblies of God Nigeria, arrived at the chapel with some of his supporters while the 8am service was already in progress.
Prof. James Okon was conducting the service when supporters of the former chaplain reportedly challenged the proceedings, resulting in heated exchanges and a rowdy atmosphere within the congregation.
The development was said to have been linked to what was described as misinformation surrounding a restraining order, which some of Ushie’s supporters allegedly interpreted as authorising his return to the chapel and resumption of his duties.
The latest incident reportedly followed a confrontation the previous day involving Prof. Emmanuel Edet, Dr Glory Njah and Imo Nse and the interim chaplain, Rev. Israel Eyo, over the performance of his duties.
Tension heightened further when Eyo was reportedly seen seated close to Ushie during the incident.
The presence of the interim chaplain around Ushie was allegedly misconstrued by some of the former chaplain’s supporters as an attempt to effect a takeover of the chapel, further worsening the situation.
As the confrontation escalated, the police moved in and ordered everyone within the chapel and its environs to leave the premises.
Etim subsequently ordered that the chapel be locked, warning that anybody found inside after the closure would be treated as a trespasser and dealt with according to the law.
Addressing those present, the DCP said the primary objective of the intervention was to prevent violence.
He said, “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.
“But for now they have to leave the church so that there won’t be any loss of lives and property and violence of any type.”
Etim disclosed that representatives of the two factions had been invited to the police office for a meeting aimed at resolving the issues surrounding the leadership dispute.
The police intervention brought the worship service to an abrupt end and temporarily closed the chapel as the authorities sought to de-escalate the situation.
The development is the latest in the prolonged leadership crisis surrounding the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption, which has involved competing claims over the leadership of the church.
The police said the immediate priority was to restore calm and create an avenue for the contending parties to engage in dialogue rather than allow the dispute to degenerate into violence.
