A worship service at an Assemblies of God congregation in Ughelli, Delta state, was disrupted Sunday (April 12) after a violent altercation involving church members and uniformed personnel left a pastor and his wife affected by tear gas, prompting internal investigations by church leadership and Royal Rangers Nigeria.
Both Assemblies of God Nigeria and Royal Rangers Nigeria confirmed the incident in separate statements, describing it as under review and urging the public to avoid speculation while facts are being established.
A video circulating widely on social media shows a chaotic scene inside the church, with individuals exchanging blows. At one point, the pastor’s wife is seen seated on the floor in distress, while the pastor appears to be coughing, seemingly after exposure to tear gas.
The cause of the confrontation remains unclear. Voices in the video allege that men in uniform attempted to abduct some individuals, though these claims have not been independently verified.
A church member, Dan Ok, identified the uniformed individuals as members of Royal Rangers, a church-affiliated paramilitary-style youth organization within the Assemblies of God Nigeria.
In a statement dated April 12, Royal Rangers Nigeria said the conduct of those involved “does not reflect the values, discipline, and code of conduct of the organization.” The group said its district leadership has launched a “thorough review” to establish the facts and determine appropriate action.
“Appropriate measures will be taken in line with established procedures,” the statement said, adding that the public should refrain from spreading unverified information while the review is ongoing.
Assemblies of God Nigeria also confirmed it is investigating the incident, describing the situation as an internal matter being handled through established church structures.
“The leadership of the Church … are fully aware of the situation and are actively handling it with the wisdom, maturity, and spiritual oversight required,” the church said in a statement issued by its Corporate Ministries and Planning Department.
The denomination urged members and the public to avoid “speculation, sensationalism, or drawing premature conclusions based on partial information,” and called for prayers as the process unfolds.
Some congregants expressed concern over the use of force during the incident. One member questioned the use of tear gas inside a place of worship, while another called for disputes to be handled “calmly and peacefully” without escalation.
