The Cross River State Police Command has intervened in a dispute at the Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar, after a Sunday service descended into a standoff that threatened to turn violent among worshippers.

The conflict arose when the university caretaker committee and an interim chaplain appointed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, attempted to take control of a service being officiated by the chapel's chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie. The ensuing confusion among worshippers prompted police to bring the service to an end.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Godwin Etim, told newsmen that he personally ordered the termination of the service after assessing the situation on the ground.

"There is palpable tension, and with what I see here, if I allow the service to continue, it will lead to bloodshed in this church," he said.

Etim confirmed that he held separate discussions with the chaplain, the interim chaplain and a member of the chapel's Board of Trustees, and that all parties agreed to suspend the service to prevent a breakdown of law and order. He added that all groups had been invited to the command on Monday for a meeting and urged them to remain calm in the interim.

The dispute is already the subject of active litigation. Ushie, through his counsel, Chief Mba Ukweni, SAN, instituted a suit against the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, Dr Chukwuka Icha, and three others at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. The chaplain sought an order restraining the defendants from intimidating, threatening or assaulting him while exercising his right to worship at the chapel.

Justice Phoebe Ayuba granted the injunction, restraining the respondents and anyone acting through them from interfering with the chapel's premises and activities. The order further directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing of the substantive application, which is fixed for 20 August.