… Command insists deployment is to maintain law and order amid ecclesiastical dispute, not to endorse any party
By Rashidat O. Okunlade | Lagos
The Anambra State Police Command has described reports concerning its presence at St. Faith Anglican Church as misleading, cautioning against the misrepresentation of security interventions in ways that could heighten tensions surrounding an alleged ecclesiastical dispute.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police clarified that the deployment of personnel to any location is guided by the need to maintain law and order, prevent a breakdown of peace, protect lives and property, and ensure the safety of all concerned.
“The Command emphasises that police presence should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any party or position in an ecclesiastical disagreement,” the statement read.
The Command stressed that the Nigeria Police Force remains a neutral institution committed to enforcing the law, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and preventing disputes from escalating into threats to public peace and security.
Call for Responsible Reporting
The Command urged media organisations, social media users, and other stakeholders to verify information before publication, exercise restraint in their reporting, and avoid disseminating narratives capable of inflaming tensions or deepening divisions within the religious community.
“The Command reassures Ndi Anambra that it will continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities professionally, impartially, and without fear or favour,” SP Ikenga added. “It will not allow any disagreement, religious or otherwise, to degenerate into a breach of public peace and security.”
Why It Matters
The Anambra Police Command’s intervention highlights a recurring challenge in the Nigerian public space: the tendency to misinterpret routine security deployments for political, social, or religious capital.
When police officers are deployed to a location whether a church, a market, or a political rally their primary mandate is the preservation of public order. However, in the absence of clear communication from authorities, the presence of armed security personnel can easily be weaponised by rival factions or spread on social media as evidence of state bias. In a religious dispute, such misinterpretations can be particularly volatile, threatening to divide congregations and disrupt community harmony.
By issuing this clarification, the Police Command is attempting to proactively manage the narrative. SP Ikenga’s call for media restraint is not merely a bureaucratic formality; it is a necessary appeal. In an era where unverified claims can go viral within minutes, responsible journalism is a critical tool for de-escalation.
The situation at St. Faith Anglican Church also underscores the unfortunate reality that even sacred institutions are not immune to internal disputes. The role of the police in such matters must always remain that of a neutral protector ensuring that disagreements are resolved through lawful and peaceful means, rather than turning the house of worship into a battleground.
As the situation develops, the public is reminded that security agencies serve the entire community, regardless of which side of a dispute they fall on. The ultimate goal is peace, and it is a goal that requires the cooperation of the media, the community, and the disputing parties alike.
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