Taraba, north-central Nigeria—In a brutal clash, members of two churches in the Munga-Dasso community in the Karim-Lamido local government area of Taraba State lost their lives in the violence that erupted on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
Daily Episode gathered that members of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN) and the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) engaged in violence on Sunday when about three pastors of the GMC’s church attempted to forcefully enter a sealed UMCN church in Munga-Dossa.
However, attempts to resist and deny the GMCN members access to the sealed church led to the violence that has now displaced many with properties and lives lost, including some who sustained injuries.
As reported by the Guardian Newspaper, two siblings, children of Mr. Abraham Kefas, ages between two and four years old, were reported to have died when their home was set ablaze by a faction of the church.
Besides the children, a brother to one of the UMCN church leaders, Elisha Masoyi, a 27-year-old, was the first victim who was shot by the suspected factions of church members turned hoodlums.
Also, several members of the church were said to have sustained injuries while approximately 1000 people, mostly children and women, were displaced as houses were burnt beyond recognition.
At the time of filling this report, the Taraba state government was reported to have sealed three UMCN churches in the Munga-Dosso community, while the military had arrested 23 UMCN church members.
Police spokesperson Usman Abdullahi confirmed the incidents and assured of penalising those involved to prevent further escalation of the violence.
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