Alleged arrest of Zimbabwean bishop deepens reported controversy in UMCN

The reported internal strife within the United Methodist Church, Nigeria (UMCN) seems to be escalating daily. The development is being strengthened by reports that a Zimbabwean bishop with the ministry, Eben Nhiwatiwa, was allegedly arrested in Yola, Adamawa State, and detained by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Nhiwatiwa, who The Guardian learned travelled to the country to oversee the election of a new Nigerian bishop following the resignation of Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, was reported to have been arrested on Friday, August 23, during a meeting with faithful in Yola.
  
In a statement to the media yesterday in Jalingo, he stressed the need for the relevant authorities to secure the cleric’s immediate release. Signed by Pastor Salisu Waziri, the statement which quoted the church as announcing that the cleric had been taken to the NIS headquarters in Abuja, dismayed his alleged continued detention.
  
The statement, as noticed by The Guardian, also suggests that a faction within the church may be behind Nhiwatiwa’s travail, stating: “Despite the bishop possessing all necessary travel documents, he is still being held incommunicado.”
  
The Nigerian branch of the church has been plagued by divisions since its recent international conference in the United States, where disagreements arose over its stance on same-sex marriage. 
  
This schism was believed to have led to a power struggle, particularly over control of the church’s multi-billion Naira properties spread across the country, particularly in Taraba State. The state government on its part, was observed to have responded swiftly by closing all branches of the church to prevent potential violence.

Tension, at the time of filing this report, remained high, particularly in Taraba, as church members accused security forces of planning more arrests. Speaking anonymously, an Immigration officer confirmed that Bishop Nhiwatiwa was questioned in Yola before being transferred to Abuja. 
  
The Guardian also gathered that Zimbabwean officials have reportedly reached out to their embassy in Nigeria to initiate diplomatic discussions regarding Nhiwatiwa’s detention.