Anambra Police Maintain Heavy Security Presence During Controversial Church Service

The Anambra State Police Command has justified the deployment of a robust security presence at St. Faith’s Anglican Cathedral in Awka during a church service conducted by the suspended Archbishop Alexander Ibezim. This decision was taken to uphold law and order amid rising tensions following Ibezim's recent suspension by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, who ordered the Archbishop to take a six-month leave pending investigations into various allegations.

Archbishop Ibezim, who serves as the Bishop of Awka Diocese, has been barred from officiating in any capacity for the duration of his suspension. The Primate's directive has sparked significant unrest within the diocese, particularly after the Board of the Diocese of Awka publicly rejected the suspension. In a bold statement, they threatened to sever ties with the Church of Nigeria and align themselves with the Church of England if the decision is upheld.

Amid this ecclesiastical turmoil, police operatives were heavily stationed at the cathedral on Sunday as Ibezim led the service, a move described by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, as a necessary precaution to prevent any potential outbreak of violence. Ikenga emphasized that the police's presence was misrepresented in some reports and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace during the service.

The situation highlights the broader tensions within the Anglican Communion in Nigeria as the church grapples with issues of governance, authority, and community loyalty. As the investigations into Ibezim's conduct continue, the implications of this conflict may resonate beyond the local church, affecting the relationship between the church and its congregation.