Global Methodist Church Condemns Attack On Members in Taraba
By Our Correspondent
The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria, GMCN has condemned the recent alleged attacks on members in Nukkai Charge, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State by the Nigeria Police.
Force.The Church expressed its position during a Press Conference titled “THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH IN NIGERIA CONDEMNS THE EXCESSES OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE ON THE RECENT UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON ITS MEMBERS OF ATC/NUKKAI CHARGE ON 8th JUNE 2025”.
The Press Conference was addressed by Rev Yoti Audu Filiya, the Administrative Assistant to the Bishop of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria.
“It is with a heart full of grief that we address you today once again on the lingering crisis bedeviling the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria following our change of name, from the former United Methodist Church at the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) which means UMCN does not exist as a result of United Methodist Church official lifting of ban on the practice of same sex marriage in her last General Conference in May 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“It is on record that our churches and houses belonging to our pastors and members have been under series of attack by some hoodlums claiming to be members of the defunct UMCN headed by Rev Ande Emmanuel despite government effort at ensuring peace. The ceaseless attacks have left many of our members and clergies killed while many others sustained various degree of injuries. Latest in the series is the attack on our peaceful members of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria ATC Nukkai charge on Sunday the 8th of June 2025, under the watch of the Nigerian Police Force”.
He stressed that the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria is deeply saddened and concerned by the violent unprovoked attack meted on peaceful worshippers of the GMCN ATC Nukkai charge by men of the Nigerian Police Force to be precise the DPO Superintendent of Police (SP) Moses Mlumun Agondo of Ardo Kola Local Government division which disrupted their regular peaceful sunday service, forcing members to vacate the church auditorium.
According to him, the Church members were beaten severely and have sustained serious injuries.
“Specifically, Mr Sabo Danlami and two others were shot on their heads with tear gas and are in a critical condition receiving treatment in the hospital while host of other persons were arrested and detained by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Superintendent of Police (SP) Moses Mlumun Agondo at the Nigeria Police headquarters Jalingo.
“Members of the Global Methodist Church have continued to remain law abiding citizens even in the wake of the continuous unprovoked attacks. We have always cautioned our members to desist from all forms of violence and thuggery in their respective communities.
“We therefore, condemn in totality this act of brutality and conspiracy between the Nigerian Police Force and some hoodlums headed by Rev. Ande Emmanuel. It is glaring that Rev Ande and his group has violated the government directive on closure of churches. They have been worshiping in most of their churches with no attempt from the Police to stop them after series of complaints to the Police while the GMCN members have continued to comply to the said directive. It is quite unfortunate that the Police in this regard seems to have deviated from its constitutional responsibilities of giving fair hearing and protecting every Nigerian”.
The Church therefore called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) zone 3 Yola, and the Taraba State Commissioner of Police (CP) to wade into this matter with the view to finding lasting solution.
“We express our heartfelt sympathy to the affected victims and their families, and offer our full support to those affected by this tragic event”.
As at the time of filing this report, there were no reactions or responses yet from either the Police or the United Methodist Church in Nigeria led by Bishop Ande Emmanuel.
Efforts to contact the Police and the UMCN were equally unsuccessful.
