By Uzo Ugwunze
The Anambra State Police Command has intensified efforts to sustain peace and prevent breakdown of law and order over the lingering dispute involving St Faith Anglican Church, Awka.
According to a press release made available to newsmen by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Anambra State Police Command, Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, on 23rd October 2026, held a meeting with parties involved in the dispute at his office in Awka as part of the peace moves
During the meeting, the Commissioner acknowledged the ongoing court proceedings on the matter and stressed the need to respect the judicial process. He urged the parties to pursue peaceful dialogue and explore appropriate channels within the church’s ecclesiastical hierarchy to resolve their differences, without prejudice to the case in court.
CP Nnanna said parishioners and worshippers must not be dragged into the disagreement or made to suffer the consequences of differences among church leaders. He called on all concerned to show restraint, mutual respect and maturity in the interest of peace, unity and sanctity of worship.
He also cautioned against inflammatory statements, confrontational conduct and any action capable of escalating tension or threatening public peace, warning that the Command would not hesitate to take lawful measures to prevent any breach of law and order.
Reassuring the parties of the Command’s impartiality, the Commissioner affirmed that the Police would continue to discharge their responsibilities professionally, address legitimate security concerns, respect the authority of the court and uphold the rights of all parties in accordance with the law.
The Command therefore called on church leaders, parishioners and other stakeholders to cooperate with ongoing peace efforts, respect due process and refrain from any conduct capable of escalating the dispute into a security challenge.
Uzo Ugwunze is of the Anambra State Ministry of Information and Value Reformation