By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Bishop of Global Methodist Church in Nigeria GMCN, Bishop John Pena Auta, has condemned the excesses of the Nigeria Police Force on the recent unprovoked attack on its members of ATC/NUKKAI Charge on Sunday 8th June 2025.
The Bishop represented by his Administrative Assistant, Rev. Yoti Audu Filiya, stated this while briefing newsmen in Jalingo.
“The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria GMCN is saddened and concerned by the violent unprovoked attack on our worshipers by the men of the Nigeria Police Force precisely the Divisional Police Officer DPO, Superintendent of Police (SP), Moses Mumun Agondo of Ardo Kola Division, which disrupt their regular peaceful Sunday Service, thereby forcing members to vacate the Church auditorium.
“Church members were beaten severely while others sustained various degrees of injuries, especially, some of our members, Sabo Danladi and two others were shot on their heads, tear gas and are now in critical condition receiving treatment while many others were arrested and detained by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
“We condemned in totality this act of brutality and conspiracy between the Nigeria Police Force and some hoodlums headed by Rev. Emmanuel Ande.
“It is glaring that he 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 Force to stop them after series of complaints to the Police Force, while the GMCN members have continue to comply to the said directive – he said.
“This is quite unfortunate that the Police Force in this regard seems to have deviated from its constitutional responsibility of giving fair hearing and protecting every Nigerian.
“The ceaseless attacks have left many of our members and clergies killed while many others sustained various degrees of injuries. Latest in the series is the attack on our peaceful members at ATC/NUKKAI Charge on Sunday, 8th June 2025 under the watch of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Members of the Global Methodist Church have continue 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.- he added.
He call on the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 3, Yola and the Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Command to wade into the matter with a view to finding lasting solution to the issue.