Taraba Govt Condemns Incendiary Utterances, Clarifies Arrest of Rev. Bazel Yoila

The Taraba State Government has condemned what it described as incendiary and reckless utterances allegedly made by Rev. Bazel Yoila, clarifying the circumstances surrounding his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Re-Orientation, Barr. Zainab Usman Jalingo, the government said it was compelled to respond to publications and social media commentaries alleging impropriety in the arrest of the cleric.

The government expressed concern over what it termed a public attack by Bishop Emeritus John Wesley on the Taraba State DSS Command, noting that the Bishop failed to address statements allegedly made by Rev. Yoila that were capable of inciting violence and threatening public peace.

According to the statement, a viral video showed Rev. Yoila making remarks suggesting that "the state will be on fire" should the government continue with the reconciliation process within the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN). The government said such statements constitute a serious threat to law and order and could not be ignored by security agencies.

The state government reiterated that its involvement in the reconciliation process within the UMCN was undertaken in good faith as a peace-building initiative, guided by neutrality and inclusiveness, with the sole aim of preventing internal disputes from escalating into broader communal unrest.

It stressed that any attempt to undermine the reconciliation process through threats or inflammatory rhetoric would be resisted in accordance with the law.

The government also disclosed that the matter is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction, urging all parties to refrain from comments or actions that could prejudice ongoing legal proceedings. It reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and respect for judicial independence.

Additionally, the state government called on media organisations and social commentators to uphold professional ethics by verifying information from credible and official sources, warning that sensational or inaccurate reporting could mislead the public and undermine peace efforts in the state.