Navigation Back Search
Search

Nigeria bishop convenes meeting to address violence


Sept. 1, 2021 | ABUJA, Nigeria (UM News)
Community leaders in Karim Lamido, Nigeria, gather to discuss peace and reconciliation efforts following episodes of violence in the area. United Methodist Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, who organized the meeting, called on those attending to pray for peace. Photo by Ramson Danjuma, UM News. 
Community leaders in Karim Lamido, Nigeria, gather to discuss peace and reconciliation efforts following episodes of violence in the area. United Methodist Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, who organized the meeting, called on those attending to pray for peace. Photo by Ramson Danjuma, UM News.

Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, leader of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, organized a peace and reconciliation meeting on Aug. 17 following incidents of violence in the Karim Lamido area of Taraba state. The meeting was prompted by the Aug. 2 murder of a farmer in Munga Dosso, followed by the killings of several Fulani herdsmen, which authorities are investigating as possible retaliatory attacks.

The meeting was held at the palace of Abubakar Haruna Kirim, chief of the Wurkum traditional council, who encouraged those attending to be peacemakers. Representatives of the farmers and herdsmen, as well as the police, also spoke. Yohanna urged all involved to be patient and forgive one another, and he concluded by asking those in attendance to pray for peace.

— Ramson Danjuma, North East Nigeria Conference

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Social Concerns
Barbara Braided Hair, left, teaches members of First United Methodist Church in Sheridan, Wyo., how to make fry bread. Barbara is the late wife of Otto Braided Hair Jr., a Sand Creek Massacre descendants representative of the Northern Cheyenne tribe in Lame Deer, Mont., who helped educate church members about the 1864 massacre led by Methodists. The dialogue sparked a two-decade relationship between the church’s Native American Committee and the Northern Cheyenne tribe. File photo courtesy of First UMC Sheridan.

Church forges ties with Sand Creek Massacre descendants
Being a consistent presence has helped the Native American Committee of First United Methodist Church in Sheridan, Wyoming, gain acceptance.
Social Concerns
The Rev. Isaac Ibrahim, Dar es Salaam District superintendent, preaches during worship Nov. 9 in Tanzania. The United Methodist Church in the region has stepped up efforts to promote prayer, peace education and reconciliation following post-election violence in October. “No development is possible without peace,” Ibrahim said. Photo by Asaph Sungura Ally, UM News.

Seeking peace after Tanzania's election violence
Through outreach and teachings on peace and justice, United Methodist leaders are supporting affected communities and encouraging the nation to find a path to healing.
Faith Stories
Bishop Violet L. Fisher, the first Black woman elected bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdiction, died Nov. 17 at the age of 86. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Violet L. Fisher remembered as trailblazer
The United Methodist, who made history as the first Black woman elected bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdiction, also earned admiration across the church for her powerful preaching and tender pastoral care.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved