A pastor of the True Church of God of Cameroon has been detained at the Gendarmerie brigade at Ekounou, Yaounde, after security forces stormed the church building Sunday, November 10, interrupting the service.
Pastor Mbackam Patrice was officiating a church service when the Divisional Officer of Yaounde IV, Akondi Elvis Mbahangwen, accompanied by police and gendarmes, bashed in.
According to MMI sources, the security forces brutalised congregants before taking the pastor into custody.
A worshipper told MMI the DO drove them away before sealing the church building.
All these, we learnt, were done following instructions from the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.
Infighting in Church
The leadership crisis in the True Church of God of Cameroon escalated earlier this year.
The Church was founded by late Pastor Nestor Toukea.
But when he died in 2021, the church elected pastor Landry Tchana to succeed him.
After a year at the helm of the church, another member, Francios Abate, started claiming leadership.
The church later realised that Abate, with complicity from the Ministry of Territorial Administration, had all documents in his name.
Since then, Christians have been brutalised in church branches across the nation for not recognising the MINAT-imposed pastor.
The case is being heard in court.
DO Tries to Install Pastor
Sunday’s drama, as we learnt, occurred because the Divisional Officer came with a new pastor to install the Ekounou church.
The pastor who was rejected was appointed by Francios Abate, who is claiming the leadership position.
From videos examined by MMI, we could see police and gendarme officers around the church premises.
The worshippers protested against their entry, but they forced their way in.
When the pastor whom the DO came with was rejected, the administrator sealed the church building and arrested the pastor recognised by Christians.
Pastor Still in Custody
On Monday morning, worshippers confirmed to MMI that they were planning to storm the gendarmerie brigade to ask for the pastor’s release. The tried on Sunday to no avail.
As they protested in front of the Gendarmerie, an officer reportedly told them, “I know you people are right. But Cameroon is Cameroon.”
Pastor Abate, who is not recognised by many Christians as the church’s leader, reportedly relies on his connections at MINAT.
The case has been going on for a while, with each leader appointing his people.
Landry Tchana, the elected leader of the church, was once jailed for days.
MMI has reported how church members have been attacked during prayers by people armed with spades and other weapons.
