Nigeria Episcopal Area

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.

Nigeria bishop convenes meeting to address violence

The meeting was prompted by the Aug. 2 murder of a farmer in Munga Dosso, followed by the killings of several Fulani herdsmen.

General Church

Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna (center) speaks to people at a camp for internally displaced persons in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria, in 2019. Conflict has intensified in the Nigeria Episcopal Area in recent months. Two aides to Yohanna reported several United Methodists to the police for allegedly disrupting the Nigerian United Methodist Church and training others to become “rude and aggressive” toward Yohanna, while opponents have accused the bishop of treating them unfairly and mismanaging projects — charges the bishop denies. File photo by Tim Tanton, UM News.

Divide deepens among Nigerian church leaders

Aides to bishop report fellow United Methodists to police for allegedly disturbing the peace, with four of them ultimately landing in jail on spying charges. West Africa College of Bishops plans to send delegation to Nigeria to meet with opposing parties.

Social Concerns

Protesters at the Ahmadu Bello Way in Jos, Nigeria, hold candles and chant liberation songs on Oct. 20. At least 56 people have died since the protests against police brutality began on Oct. 8, according to Amnesty International. Photo by the Rev. Christopher Thomas

Bishop calls for dialogue on police reform in Nigeria

As protests turn deadly, Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna urges the government to address demonstrations peacefully. Several United Methodist pastors say they witnessed the violence.

Social Concerns

Beneficiaries in Mutum-Daya in the Wurkun Central District in Nigeria receive rice, beans, Maggi seasoning and salt as part of The United Methodist Church’s COVID-19 outreach. The Nigeria Episcopal Area received a Sheltering in Love grant from the UMCOR COVID-19 Response Fund. Photo by Richard Fidelis, UM News.

Sheltering in Love grant alleviates hunger

More than 350 people in the four conferences of the Nigeria Episcopal Area benefitted from COVID-19 food assistance.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION