BEKU, ABIA STATE — A tense confrontation unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday in Ibeku, Umuahia, as a local resident, identified as a former state official, reportedly disrupted an overnight church service while wielding a cutlass.
The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, occurred around 1:00 AM at the Umuobasi Town Hall, which was being used by a congregation for a night vigil. According to eyewitnesses and video footage, the man—identified as Charles Ogbonna, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs—entered the hall visibly enraged by the noise levels.
The ConfrontationIn the video, the individual is seen brandishing a cutlass and shouting at the worshippers to “Get out!” He reportedly threatened to destroy the church’s musical instruments if they did not immediately vacate the premises.
“I will deal with you if you don’t get away from here,” he was heard yelling in the clip, while frustrated church members attempted to plead with him, noting that they had been in service since the previous evening. One member was heard appealing for a woman who had suffered a stroke to be allowed to remain, but the man insisted the service end due to the “unbearable” noise affecting the residential neighborhood.
Mixed ReactionsThe incident has sparked a heated debate online regarding the balance between religious freedom and environmental regulations:Support for the man: Many netizens expressed sympathy, citing the mental health toll of chronic noise pollution from residential-area churches without soundproofing.
Condemnation of the method: Others, while acknowledging the noise issue, condemned the use of a weapon and the threat of violence as an illegal and dangerous way to resolve the dispute.
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