By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
Three persons where killed and ten others seriously injured in a clash by two church factions, the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) and the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN) in Munga- Dosso Karim Lamido Local Government of Taraba State over the ownership of the Church.
Those killed are 27-year-old Elisha Masoyi, a UMCN member and brother to the Church leader, two children, four-year-old Abednego, and a two-year-old baby who lost their lives when their home was set ablaze by attackers.
The fatal clash was said to have started when three GMCN pastors led members of their faction to forcefully enter the sealed UMCN No. 1 church in Munga-Dosso which have been sealed by the Taraba State Government but the UMCN members resisted, leading to clashes that escalated and spread to UMCN No. 3. in the village.
The conflict has also left over ten people injured with many more displaced,
houses belonging to members were also burnt beyond recognition.
The Taraba State Government had previously sealed the UMCN number 1 in Jalingo the State Capital for many years due to prolonged disputes between the members over leadership and three UMCN churches in Munga-Dosso to prevent a breakdown of law and order after some members broke away and formed the GMCN.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Taraba State, SP Usman Abdullahi confirmed that six suspects were arrested in connection with the violence and that security forces were deployed to the area to prevent the escalation of the clashes.
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