By Zagazola Makama
The Taraba State Police Command has arrested two pastors and several members of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria/Global Mission Church of Nigeria (UMCN/GMCN) for allegedly violating an executive order banning their religious activities in the State.
The arrest, according to Police sources, followed a reported defiance of the State government’s directive ordering the closure of all UMCN/GMCN church premises pending the resolution of leadership and security concerns linked to the factional crisis within the denomination.
Police sources who confirmed the development said the arrests took place at about 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, at Kasuwan Bera in Kofai Ward, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of the State.
According to the source, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Sunkani Division led personnel to the church premises based on credible intelligence that members of the banned faction were holding an early morning service in defiance of the closure order.
“Upon arrival, the officers met some GMCN members actively engaged in religious activity. Despite repeated warnings, they defied police directives and were subsequently arrested,” the PPRO said.
The situation escalated when one Rev. Beziel Yayuba Yoila and another unidentified pastor arrived at the scene and allegedly incited members to resist the police.
“The group started pelting officers with stones, prompting the DPO to call for reinforcement from the Department of Operations (DOPS). The reinforcements arrived swiftly, and both Rev. Beziel and the second pastor were arrested,” he said.
Items recovered from the vehicle of Rev. Beziel include a cutlass, a canister of Police Body Guard Tear Gas, and a rearing stick, all of which have been taken into custody for further investigation.
The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Jalingo for discreet investigation, the PPRO added.
The Taraba State Government had last year shut down all UMCN/GMCN churches within the State due to protracted leadership disputes and concerns over public safety.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Charles Maijankai, explained that the measure was aimed at preventing further disruption and potential clashes among church members contesting control over church properties.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had last year repatriated the Methodist Church of Zimbabwean Bishop Eben Nhiwatawi on August 24, 2024, for violating Nigerian immigration laws, specifically for misusing his tourist visa to participate in religious activities.
According to information from the NIS, Nhiwatawi entered Nigeria on August 21, 2024, using a Tourist Visa (F5A), strictly meant for tourism activities. However, authorities discovered him participating in the Methodist Church leadership election, which violated the visa terms under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024.
In the midst of escalating conflicts within Nigeria’s United Methodist Church, Nhiwatiwa had arrived the country and headed to Yola, Adamawa State as part of moves to facilitate the election of a new church leader to replace the then outgoing Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, who recently resigned.
Bishop Nhiwatiwa was detained by the NIS on August 23, 2024, shortly after arriving in Yola for a meeting with members of the Southern Nigerian Annual Conference.
