Three killed as Methodist Church factions clash in Taraba

Three killed as Methodist Church factions clash in Taraba

At least three persons have been reported dead after a violent clash broke out between different  factions of Methodist Church denomination in Taraba state.

The clash happened between the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, UMCN, and the Global Methodist Church, GMC.

The unsettling incident happened at Munga Dasso village in the Karim-Lamido local government council on Sunday, according to the police in the middle belt State.

Matters came to a head after one faction reportedly reopened a sealed church building for service.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday.

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“There was a crisis in Karim-Lamido Local Government Council, which led to the killing of three people,” he said.

According to him, six suspects have been arrested, and security forces have been deployed to prevent further violence.

The conflict, it was gathered, was not unconnected to the lingering leadership dispute between the UMCN and the GMC, which recently emerged as a breakaway faction.

To address the issue and forestall the outbreak of violence, the state government had previously sealed church properties across the region, but Sunday’s incident reignited hostilities.

Some worshippers, speaking with our reporter, expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to resolve the ongoing crisis, which they believe is jeopardizing peace and security in the state.

Three killed as Methodist Church factions clash in Taraba