The Anambra State Police Command has dismissed reports concerning its presence at St Faith Anglican Cathedral, Awka, as misleading, insisting that its intervention was aimed at maintaining peace and security amid an alleged ecclesiastical dispute.
Recall that the bishop in charge of the Cathedral, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim had been directed by the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, to proceed on a six-month mandatory leave effective last week.
The leave directive is to enable an independent investigation into allegations of corruption and sale of Diocesan lands amounting to about N2 billion against the prelate.
However, in disregard to the primate’s directive, Bishop Ibezim on Sunday, officiated the church service at the Cathedral, with his brother, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who is the Deputy Governor of Anambra State in attendance.
The premises of the Cathedral was also characterized by heavy deployment of security personnel, including the Police and the state security outfit, Agunechemba.
The development had triggered reactions from the people, with many accusing the police of taking sides with the embattled bishop.
But, in a statement on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the deployment of personnel to the church was guided by the need to maintain law and order, prevent a breakdown of peace and protect lives and property.
Ikenga stressed that police presence should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any party or position in the religious disagreement, adding that the Nigeria Police Force remained neutral and committed to protecting the rights of all concerned.
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The Command urged media organisations, social media users and other stakeholders to verify information before publication and exercise restraint in reporting the dispute.
It warned against circulating narratives capable of inflaming tensions or deepening divisions within the religious community.
The police reassured residents of Anambra State that the Command would continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities professionally and impartially, adding that it would not allow religious or other disagreements to degenerate into a breach of public peace and security.
