CALABAR: The Cross River State Police Command has halted a Sunday church service at the Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar (UNICAL), following a leadership dispute that raised fears of possible violence.
The incident occurred on Sunday when rival factions reportedly attempted to take control of the service. The dispute involves the chapel’s substantive chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie, and an interim chaplain appointed amid the ongoing leadership crisis.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Godwin Etim, led police officers to the chapel and ordered the service to end.
Etim said the decision was taken as a preventive measure after the police received information suggesting that the disagreement could escalate into bloodshed.
“There is palpable tension,” Etim said, explaining that allowing the service to continue could result in violence.
He said he had spoken with the chaplain, the interim chaplain and a member of the church’s Board of Trustees, adding that the parties agreed to suspend the service to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The police subsequently invited the contending parties for discussions and urged them to remain calm while efforts are made to resolve the dispute.
The leadership crisis has also become a subject of legal proceedings. Reports indicate that a Federal High Court order in Port Harcourt restrained the UNICAL Vice-Chancellor and others from interfering with the chapel and its activities pending further proceedings.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the police intervention was aimed at preventing a possible clash and protecting worshippers amid the escalating disagreement.
