365NEWS reports that the ongoing conflict within the United Methodist Church in Nigeria has taken a new turn with the reported arrest of Zimbabwean Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa.
The bishop, who had traveled to Nigeria to initiate the process of electing a new church leader following the resignation of former Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, was detained in Yola, Adamawa State, and later transferred to the Abuja headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service.
In a statement released in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Sunday, the church expressed deep concern over the bishop’s arrest and called on authorities to intervene and ensure his immediate release.
The statement, signed by Pastor Salisu Waziri, suggested that members of a breakaway faction of the church might be responsible for the arrest, despite the bishop having all necessary documents.
The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has been divided since the last international conference in the United States, where disagreements arose over the issue of same-sex marriage. This division has led to increased tensions, with reports indicating that the Taraba State Government has closed all church branches within the state to prevent further conflicts as members vie for control of church property.
There are also allegations that more arrests of church members and pastors may be imminent, with security operatives reportedly involved in the situation. According to the church’s statement, Bishop Nhiwatiwa was detained by immigration officials shortly after arriving in Yola for a meeting with the Southern Nigerian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria. He was later confined to his hotel before being taken to Abuja on August 24, 2024, where he remains in custody.
When contacted for comment, an immigration officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that only the national headquarters could address inquiries regarding the bishop’s arrest.
