Three lives lost as Methodist Church factions clash in Taraba

Three people have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between worshippers of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) and the Global Methodist Church (GMC) in Taraba State.  

The crisis erupted on Sunday in Munga Dasso village, located in the Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, after one faction allegedly unsealed a previously restricted church building to hold a service.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the incident and stated that security forces have been deployed to the area to prevent further violence.

This deadly conflict underscores the ongoing tension between the UMCN and GMC, which have been embroiled in a prolonged leadership dispute.

“There was a crisis in Karim-Lamido Local Government Council, which led to the killing of three people,” he said.

He added that six suspects have been arrested, and security forces have been deployed to prevent further violence.

The conflict was observed to have stemmed from a prolonged leadership dispute between the UMCN and the GMC, which recently emerged as a breakaway faction.

To mitigate tensions, the state government had previously sealed church properties across the region, but Sunday’s incident reignited hostilities.

Some worshippers, speaking with our reporter, expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to resolve the ongoing crisis, which they believe is jeopardizing peace and security in the state.