A leader of the African movement to remain in The United Methodist Church narrowly escaped physical harm Nov. 14 at he and his family attempted to attend church, according to a colleague’s report.
The Rev. Musa Lana reported to United Methodist Insight via email:
Emmanuel Family
The Rev. Ande Emmanuel and his family were reportedly threatened by a group of men outside Abuja Haske UMC in southern Nigeria. (Courtesy photo)
“In another related development this evening, Rev. Ande Emmanuel and his family NARROWLY escaped being attacked by a group of seven men at the driveway of Abuja Haske United Methodist Church in Jalingo.
“The Reverend was driving into the Church with his wife and three kids when suddenly the [men] blocked his ways and asked him to get out of his car. They were chanting 'who are you, call your bishop' and were coming towards the Reverend aggressively. The Reverend had to reverse [the car] to escape with his family.
“The Reverend had earlier reported to the Africa College of Bishops how his life and that of his family [are] being threatened by persons instigated by Bishop John Wesley Yohanna. It is very urgent that the Africa College of Bishops take measures.”
Contacted by Insight via email to confirm Rev. Lana’s report, Rev. Emmanuel responded:
“I and my family are still in shock of what happened … . My three-year-old son, Shalfolomi Ande Emmanuel, kept asking me, ‘Daddy who are these people?’ My children have been terrified.
“The saddest part of the story is that this is happening in the Church driveway. This is the second time that I [have been] openly ... attacked and on each occasion the bishop's name is mentioned. I have reported this to the West Africa College of Bishops. My life and that of my family [are] being threatened.”
Subsequent to reporting the incident to the Rev. Bazel Yoila Yoyuba, administrative assistant to Bishop Yohanna, this writer received a partly unintelligible recorded message on her home telephone saying that Rev. Emmanuel is lying about the situation in Nigeria. Three Nigerian United Methodists identified the caller on the reecording as the Rev John Pena, a friend of Bishop Yohanna.