Anambra Police Clarifies Neutrality in Anglican Dispute

The Anambra State Police Command has denied allegations of bias in the ongoing leadership dispute within the Diocese of Awka. This clarification followed the deployment of security personnel to St Faith Anglican Church in Awka, which was ordered to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, and prevent any escalation of tensions.

The deployment was in response to a directive from the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, who placed the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, on a six-month compulsory leave. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described reports suggesting police partisanship as misleading.

He emphasized that police presence should not be viewed as an endorsement of any party in the ecclesiastical dispute. The command urged media and stakeholders to verify information before publication to avoid inflaming tensions and reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining peace and security.