Bishop John Pena Auta of the Global Methodist Church Nigeria (GMCN) has refuted claims that the recent crisis in Munga Doso, which led to the deaths of three people, was religiously motivated.
Speaking through Rev. Simon Jatutu and Rev. Yayuba Baziel Yoila, Bishop Auta dismissed media reports suggesting religious undertones to the conflict, stating it stemmed from a long-standing chieftaincy dispute in the area.
“The crisis has nothing to do with religion,” Auta said. “This is a lingering traditional dispute that some individuals exploited, using the current tension between the United Methodist Church Nigeria (UMCN) and GMCN to further their own interests.”
The Bishop labeled accusations from Rev. Micah Dopah of UMCN as baseless, asserting that Dopah had no grounds to call for the arrest of GMCN leaders. Instead, he called for Dopah’s arrest, alleging his alignment with pro-LGBTQ ideologies.
“Dopah has violated both the church constitution and Nigerian laws by endorsing same-sex marriage,” Auta claimed. “GMCN chose to separate from UMCN to uphold our faith and values.”
The conflict has also reignited disputes over church properties, with Auta accusing Dopah and others of unlawfully seizing assets in Zing and Yorro Local Government Areas.
In response, Dopah issued a statement urging authorities to arrest GMCN leaders for their alleged involvement in the Munga Doso violence. He accused them of inciting bloodshed and urged them to seek repentance.
The crisis, which erupted on Sunday in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, escalated after unresolved tensions between GMCN and UMCN factions led to a violent confrontation. The conflict reportedly left three dead, including two children who were burned in a house, and several others injured.
Police spokesperson DSP Abdullahi Usman confirmed the casualties and the destruction of property, adding that six individuals have been arrested. “A team of officers was deployed to restore order, and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
Usman urged residents to remain peaceful and report disputes to authorities rather than resorting to violence. “Peace is paramount, and we are committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property,” he added.
The situation remains tense, with calls for a resolution to the underlying disputes to prevent further escalation.