A Zimbabwean bishop, Eben K. Nhiwatiwa, of the United Methodist Church, has been arrested in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, during a visit aimed at initiating the process of electing a new bishop following the resignation of the former bishop, John Wesley Yohanna. Bishop Nhiwatiwa was reportedly detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and later transferred to their headquarters in Abuja.
The church, which has been embroiled in internal conflicts since an international conference in the U.S. where some members supported same-sex marriage, expressed deep concern over the bishop’s arrest. In a statement, Pastor Salisu Waziri suggested that members of a breakaway faction of the church were behind the arrest, despite Bishop Nhiwatiwa possessing all necessary documents.
The Taraba State Government has responded to the church crisis by closing all United Methodist Church branches across the state, citing concerns over potential violence as factions struggle for control of church properties. Further arrests of church members, including pastors, are feared as the situation escalates.