Rev. Mbaka Beaten Up Over Land Dispute

The priests, who attempted to stop the
operation were severely dealt with and a
fight ensued between the church
members and the Enugu State Housing
Corporation (ESHC) staff.
Men of the Enugu State Housing
Corporation (ESHC), led by their boss,
Vitalis Emeka Onah, laid their tough
hands on clergy men who tried to stop
them from carrying out their duty.
The men were instructed by the state
government to re-possess the land
belonging to the Enugu Anglican Church
Communion.
The priests, who attempted to stop the
operation were severely dealt with and a
fight ensued between the church
members and the Enugu State Housing
Corporation (ESHC) staff.
According to eye witness reports, Rev.
Mbaka Peter, Rev. Collins Odoabuchi, Rev.
Eugene, and Rev. Maxwell Onyia were not
spared by the angry staff of the housing
corporation.
The situation would have gotten out of
hand, if not for the timely intervention
of the Enugu state Commissioner of
Police, Muhammed Abubakar Adamu.
Speaking also on the peace efforts
initiated by the Enugu state police chief,
the priest in charge of the church,
Venerable N. Aghadi said, “We have talked
at length and discussed very
progressively. The commissioner of police
is requesting that we should please go
home and rest. He has promised that the
matter is in good hands and that
immediately the archbishop returns, he
will have a meeting with him.”
The land which was purchased by the
Enugu Anglican Church Communion, was
dedicated by His Grace, the Most
Reverend C. J. Patterson, the then
Archbishop of West Africa and Bishop of
the Niger, in 1965.
While speaking to newsmen, the
Commissioner of Police, said “We have
discussed with the church. If anybody is
injured we will not take it lightly. We
have already asked that a formal report
be made and we will follow it up. We have
agreed on a peace move and we are
following it up.”