The Taraba State Government has defended the arrest of Reverend Bazel Yoila by the Department of State Services (DSS), dismissing allegations of wrongdoing and insisting that security agencies acted to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

Rev. Yoila was arrested in the early hours of Sunday at his residence in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, by operatives of the DSS.

In a statement made available to media practitioners on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Re-Orientation, Barrister Zainab Usman Jalingo, the government said it was responding to media reports and social media commentary suggesting that the arrest was unjustified. According to the statement, the DSS acted proactively in the interest of public peace and responsible civic engagement.

The government also faulted comments made by retired Bishop of the Global Methodist Church of Nigeria (GMCN), Rev. John Wesley, who condemned the arrest and described the operation as “unprofessional.” Wesley maintained that Rev. Yoila deserved to be treated with dignity as a Nigerian citizen.

However, the state government expressed concern that while criticising security agencies, the retired bishop did not address what it described as “highly inflammatory and reckless” remarks allegedly made by Rev. Yoila in a viral video.

In the footage, Rev. Yoila was reportedly heard warning that “the state will be on fire” if the government continued with a reconciliation process within the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN).

The government said such statements constituted a serious threat to public peace and could not be ignored by any responsible authority.

Officials explained that the reconciliation process within the UMCN was initiated in good faith as part of efforts to foster peace and prevent internal church disputes from escalating into wider communal unrest. The government maintained that its role in the process has been neutral and inclusive.

“Any attempt to derail this process through threats or inflammatory rhetoric is unacceptable and will be met with the full weight of the law,” the statement added.

The government further noted that the matter is now before a court of competent jurisdiction and urged all parties to allow the judicial process to take its course without interference or prejudicial commentary. It reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and respect for the independence of the judiciary.

The state also called on media organisations and commentators to verify information from credible and official sources before publication, warning that sensational or one-sided reporting could undermine ongoing efforts to sustain peace in Taraba State.