The Anambra State Police Command has denied taking sides in the leadership crisis rocking the Anglican Diocese of Awka, saying the deployment of armed personnel to a church service attended by Bishop Alexander Ibezim was strictly for security purposes.
The command’s clarification followed reports that heavily armed policemen were present at St Faith’s Anglican Church in Awka on Sunday, amid a dispute between Ibezim and the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba.
The command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, described reports suggesting that the police were providing security cover for Ibezim as misleading.
He said police deployments were guided by the need to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, and prevent a breakdown of peace, regardless of the parties involved in a dispute.
“The police presence should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any party or position in an ecclesiastical disagreement,” Ikenga said.
He urged media organisations, social media users and other stakeholders to verify information before publication and avoid spreading narratives capable of heightening tensions within the religious community.
The police statement came as the leadership dispute intensified following Ndukuba’s directive that Ibezim proceed on six months’ compulsory leave to allow investigations into allegations against him.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, the Primate reportedly cited petitions alleging criminal offences within the diocese, concerns arising from Ibezim’s dealings with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and findings from administrative investigations.
The allegations reportedly include the alleged forgery and sale of diocesan land involving about N2bn. The claims have not been established in court.
Ndukuba also barred Ibezim from performing church duties within the Church of Nigeria, the Province on the Niger and the Awka Diocese during the leave period. He appointed the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of the Province on the Niger.
However, the Awka Diocesan Board rejected the directive and Ezeofor’s appointment at an emergency meeting held on October 16. It passed a vote of confidence in Ibezim and directed diocesan organs to continue recognising him and disregard directives from Ezeofor.
The board also reportedly threatened that the diocese could consider withdrawing from the Church of Nigeria and rejoining the Church of England if the decisions were not reversed.
Ibezim subsequently conducted a service at St Faith’s Anglican Church on Sunday, maintaining his position despite the Primate’s directive.
The dispute took another turn when Ezeofor withdrew the appointment of the diocese’s chancellor, senior lawyer B.E.I. Nwofor, in a letter dated October 17.
Ezeofor accused Nwofor of undermining the Primate’s authority and defying church directives. He declared him unfit to continue as chancellor and directed him to hand over diocesan documents and property in his possession.
Efforts to obtain Nwofor’s reaction were unsuccessful at the time of the report.
The police command said it would remain neutral and would not allow the religious disagreement to degenerate into a threat to public peace and security.
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