A church service at the United Methodist Church in Durumi, Abuja, turned violent on Sunday, resulting in damage to property and intervention by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command.
The fight, which lasted for hours, was sparked by a rift among church elders over a decision to separate from the church’s headquarters in the United States.
The conflict centered on the headquarters’ legalization of practices deemed foreign to Nigerian culture.
Despite initial efforts by police to stop the fight, tear gas was eventually deployed to bring the situation under control.
The church was locked, and members were dismissed, with some elders taken to the station for questioning.
A church member, who spoke anonymously, expressed disappointment over the conflict, highlighting the need for resolution and peace within the church community.
The member said, “Our headquarters is in America and they have legalised some practices that are not part of our culture. Some elders were of the view that we should pull out, and give the church another name. But another set of elders kicked against the move. This created a faction in the church. At a point, they wanted to go to court, but I cannot say why they did not end up going.
“Today, while addressing the church during the service, our pastor announced that they would be heading to the court and expressed his wish that the church remain with the headquarters. That was what instigated the fight. I have never seen such a thing before in my life. The fight was so serious that when the police came they did not stop until they fired teargas. Some of the church elders were taken to the station for interrogation after the whole thing. “
When contacted, the FCT command police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, had invited the church elders to his office on Monday.
Adeh said, “The CP has invited all the church elders to come to the command by 10 am tomorrow.“
