Drama as police invade church, allegedly Manhandle worshippers in Enugu

According to Punch Metro, the operatives of Enugu State Police Command have reportedly invaded the Assemblies of God Church at No 27 Mount Street Agbani Road, Enugu with Armored Personnel Carrier and allegedly manhandled worshipers.

The invasion of the church which was said to have occurred on Sunday, The PUNCH learnt was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of operation with three Divisional Police Officers of Kiriki, Uwani, and Awkunanaw stations.

It was gathered that after the invasion, some members of the church were arrested and the church premises which also has a school, were locked.

Assemblies of God has been experiencing a leadership crisis since 2014. The case is in court.

But recently, the Federal High Court, Enugu, presided by Justice Dugbo-Oghoghorie, gave an order directing parties to maintain status quo.

Punch Metro reports that the Court has fixed January 30 for ruling on the case.

However, one of the worshippers, whom the operatives manhandled who gave his name as Osita Ike, described the action of the police as unlawful, inhumane, and without discretion.

He said, “I don’t know the cause of such embarrassment and inhumane treatment displayed by the Nigeria Police. They manhandled worshippers who came to worship God and arrested some members of the church.

“We were in the church on Sunday morning when a troop of heavily armed policemen came with an armored tank as if there was war and started beating and chasing people out of the church.

“Actually we are two factions. The service was going on. Some were at the back worshiping while the other faction were worshiping inside the church. I don’t know why they came because we have been worshiping like that since the crisis erupted in the church hierarchy.

“For the short period I joined them, about a year and six months now, one faction normally starts by 6:am and ends at 11:am, while the other group starts by 11 am and ends anytime of their choice.”

He said that after the church premises were locked, four members of the church were arrested and taken to the police headquarters.

As of the time of filing this report, it is not clear whether those arrested on Sunday had been released.

When contacted on the telephone the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, declined comment.

Amaraizu, a Superintendent of Police, simply told Punch Metro “let me find out what happened” and then switched off his phone.