Awka Anglican Crisis: Anambra CP Reads Riot Act to Warring Factions

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has warned rival factions in the crisis rocking St Faith Anglican Church, Awka, against actions capable of escalating tensions, threatening public peace or disrupting worship in the state capital.

Ama issued the warning during a meeting with leaders of the factions, where he called for restraint, peaceful dialogue and strict adherence to the rule of law amid the ongoing dispute involving the church.

The police commissioner stressed that the command would not tolerate any attempt by the parties to escalate the crisis or cause a breakdown of law and order,

He warned that appropriate lawful measures would be taken against anyone whose actions threatened public peace.

He acknowledged that court proceedings relating to the dispute were ongoing and urged all parties to respect the judicial process while exploring peaceful means of resolving their differences.

According to him, the parties should take advantage of dialogue and appropriate channels within the church’s established ecclesiastical hierarchy to address their grievances without prejudice to the pending court proceedings.

Ama expressed concern that the disagreement among church leaders could negatively affect innocent parishioners and worshipers if not handled with caution.

He maintained that worshipers should not be drawn into the dispute or made to suffer the consequences of disagreements among the church’s leadership.

The commissioner therefore urged the factions to demonstrate restraint, mutual respect and maturity in handling the matter, noting that peace, unity and the sanctity of worship must remain paramount.

He also cautioned the parties against inflammatory statements, confrontational conduct and other actions capable of heightening tensions or provoking a security crisis.

Ama reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that the dispute did not degenerate into a wider security challenge.

He assured the parties that the police would remain impartial in handling the matter and would continue to address legitimate security concerns professionally, while respecting the authority of the court and the rights of all parties under the law.

The police commissioner further called on church leaders, parishioners and other stakeholders to cooperate with ongoing peace efforts and refrain from conduct capable of undermining efforts to resolve the crisis.

In a press statement, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command remained committed to maintaining peace and ensuring that the dispute was managed without compromising public order.

Ikenga reiterated the command’s resolve to protect lives and property, urging all concerned to exercise restraint and allow due process to take its course.

The police command’s intervention comes amid efforts to prevent the dispute from escalating into a broader security challenge, with the authorities urging the parties to prioritize peaceful resolution and respect for the law.