Anambra CP Urges Feuding Anglican Bishops To Resolve Dispute Via Church Hierarchy
CP Nnanna-Oji Ama, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra has called on the leaders of the Anglican Diocese to embrace peace and resolve their misunderstanding through the Church.
Ama made the appeal when he played host to Rt Revd Alexander Ibezim, the suspended Bishop of Awka and Rt Revd Samuel Ezeofor, the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Aguata who was posted as replacement.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga
Police Public Relations Officer Anambra Command said the meeting was called as part of an effort to engender peace and prevent breakdown of law and order in relation to the ongoing dispute in the Diocese.
Ama acknowledged the ongoing court proceedings and emphasised the importance of respecting the judicial process.
He urged the parties to pursue peaceful dialogue and explore appropriate channels within the church’s established ecclesiastical hierarchy to resolve their differences, without prejudice to the ongoing court proceedings.
“Parishioners and worshippers must not be drawn into the disagreement or made to suffer the consequences of differences among church leaders.
“I call on all concerned to demonstrate restraint, mutual respect, and maturity in the interest of peace, unity, and the sanctity of worship,” he said.
Ama cautioned against inflammatory statements, confrontational conduct, and any action capable of escalating tensions or threatening public peace.
He warned that the Command would not hesitate to take appropriate lawful measures to prevent any breach of law and order.
He reassured the parties of the Command’s impartiality and affirmed that the Police would continue to discharge their responsibilities and address legitimate security concerns, respect the authority of the court, and uphold the rights of all parties in accordance with the law.
The Anambra Police Command urged church leaders, parishioners and other stakeholders to cooperate with ongoing peace efforts, respect due process, and refrain from any conduct capable of escalating the dispute into a security challenge.
The Command remains committed to maintaining peace, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that the dispute is managed without compromising public order.
