‘We don’t know the Zimbabwean bishop deported by NIS’- Methodist Church Nigeria

Methodist Church Nigerian has disowned the Zimbabwean bishop, Eben Nhiwatawi, recently deported by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for allegedly violating his visa terms.

The NIS announced on Wednesday the deportation of a Zimbabwean bishop, Eben Nhiwatawi, for participating in the Methodist Church leadership election process while on a tourist visa in Nigeria.

The spokesman for the Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev. Dapo Damilola, has now told The Punch that the church does not know the said Bishop Nhiwatawi.

“The Zimbabwean Methodist bishop is not affiliated to Methodist Church Nigeria. And he didn’t come into the country on our invitation or attend any event organised by the Methodist Church Nigeria. The person came in on the platform of the United Methodist Church, and that is not our own brand.

“Methodist Church Nigeria is an offshoot of the British Methodist Church, and as we know, we are the first denomination in Nigeria. We arrived at Badagry in September 1842, so we are not United Methodist Church; we are Methodist Church Nigeria. We became autonomous in 1962, so we are the Methodist Church of Nigeria.

“He’s not one of us, he’s not in any way affiliated to us at Methodist Church Nigeria.

“Apparently, the man came at the invitation of the other group, the United Methodist Church. So, we want to appeal again that there should be clarification.”

The NIS, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, on Wednesday, described the Zimbabwean’s actions as a clear violation of the terms and privileges associated with the tourist visa, as outlined in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024.

According to the NIS, the Zimbabwean cleric was apprehended in Yola, Adamawa State, on August 24, 2024 “over violation of Immigration protocols.”

“The Bishop arrived in the country on 21st August 2024, with a Tourist Visa (F5A) meant solely for tourism purposes. However, he was discovered to be participating in the Methodist Church leadership election process which is in clear violation of the terms and privileges associated with the Tourist Visa as provided in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024.

“In light of the above, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, with ministerial approval, has ordered his immediate repatriation from the country.

“While the service encourages lawful inflow of Foreign Direct Investment and individuals engaging in business and social activities, as key facilitators of economic growth and development, it will not tolerate any violation of the country’s Immigration laws.

“The service remains committed to preserving the country’s National Security and will continue to monitor the activities of foreigners for such purposes,” it said.

It was reported on August 25 how Zimbabwean Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of the United Methodist Church had reportedly been detained by Nigerian Immigration authorities, despite having all necessary documents

Bishop Nhiwatiwa arrived in Nigeria on August 21, 2024 to oversee the election of a new bishop for the church’s Nigerian chapter, following the resignation of Bishop John Wesley Yohanna.

In the midst of escalating conflicts within Nigeria’s United Methodist Church, Nhiwatiwa was apprehended by authorities while on a mission to facilitate the election of a new church leader.

The incident occurred in Yola, Adamawa State, as part of efforts to replace the outgoing Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, who recently resigned.

However, the Public Relations Officer for the United Methodist Church, Fatima Adamu, expressed concern over the arrest, in a statement released to journalists in Jalingo, Taraba State.

According to her, the church leadership was calling for the immediate release of Nhiwatiwa, attributing the incident to actions by a factional group within the church opposed to the Bishop’s presence.

The church’s statement, signed by Pastor Salisu Waziri, highlighted suspicions that members of a breakaway faction—stemming from disagreements over same-sex marriage discussions at a recent international conference in the United States—were responsible for orchestrating the bishop’s arrest.

Meanwhile, the Taraba State Government was said to have proactively shut down all United Methodist Church branches within the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Charles Maijankai, explained that the measure was aimed at preventing further disruption and potential clashes among church members contesting control over church properties.

The church leadership said it feared that this incident might be the beginning of a broader crackdown, with plans reportedly underway to detain additional members and pastors involved in the contentious dispute.

Following his initial detention, Nhiwatiwa was held at the Yola Immigration office before being moved to his hotel under guard.

On Saturday, August 24, 2024, he was said to have been escorted to Abuja alongside an immigration officer and was held at the NIS Headquarters in the capital before his repatriation.