Police halt UNICAL church service amid conflict

Tension flared at the Chapel of Redemption at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) on Sunday when police intervened to halt a service, averting potential violence. The disruption occurred as university caretaker committee members and an interim chaplain, appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, attempted to seize control from the chapel's officiating chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie.

Worshippers were thrown into confusion by the standoff. State Police Command's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Godwin Etim, ordered the service terminated, stating, "There is palpable tension, and with what I see here, if I allow the service to continue, it will lead to bloodshed in this church."

Etim reported that he spoke with the chaplain, the interim chaplain, and a Board of Trustees member, securing their agreement to suspend the service. The parties have been summoned to the police command for a meeting on Monday, with authorities urging calm.

This incident unfolds amidst a subsisting order from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. The court had previously restrained the university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, and others from interfering with the chapel's premises and activities. Rev. Ushie had filed a suit against the VC and university registrar, seeking to prevent intimidation and threats while he exercised his right to worship. An injunction was granted, directing parties to maintain the status quo pending further hearings.

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There is palpable tension, and with what I see here, if I allow the service to continue, it will lead to bloodshed in this church.