Police in Cross River State stopped a Sunday church service at the University of Calabar to prevent potential violence between rival factions [1, 2].
The intervention highlights growing tensions within the university's religious community, where disputes over leadership and governance have escalated to the point of requiring law enforcement presence to maintain order.
The incident occurred at the Chapel of Redemption, located on the University of Calabar campus [1, 2]. Police acted after receiving intelligence that a clash was imminent between opposing groups within the congregation [1, 2].
The conflict centers on a dispute over the control of the church's affairs [1, 2]. While the specific nature of the governance disagreement was not detailed, the risk of physical confrontation prompted the decision to halt the service entirely.
Officers arrived at the scene to disperse the gathering and secure the premises [1, 2]. The move was intended to avert a larger scale disturbance that could have affected other students and staff on the campus, a priority for the Cross River State Police.
University officials have not released a formal statement regarding the internal rift at the chapel, but the police presence remained a focal point of tension throughout the day [1, 2]. The disruption of the service marks a significant escalation in the rivalry between the two factions.
“Police in Cross River State stopped a Sunday church service at the University of Calabar to prevent potential violence.”
This incident reflects a broader trend of institutional disputes within Nigerian religious organizations spilling over into public spaces. When leadership struggles within a campus chapel require state police intervention, it suggests a breakdown in internal mediation and university disciplinary structures, potentially creating a volatile environment for the student body.
