Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
Tension gripped Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State after a group of youths reportedly destroyed a traditional worship shrine operated by a woman popularly known as “Eze Nwanyi.”
The incident, captured in a viral video, showed the youths led by a pastor entering the woman's residence, searching rooms and removing items they alleged were used for idol worship before destroying them.
The group claimed the Onne community had abolished idol worship decades ago and insisted the activities at the residence violated a longstanding covenant in the community.
Addressing residents, the pastor said they had received reports that idol worship was taking place in the compound and decided to verify the claims.
According to him, an earlier visit to the residence revealed what he described as a shrine, despite the woman's insistence that she was worshipping God.
He alleged that community leaders had renounced idol worship in 1973 and that the community had since remained free of public shrines.
The pastor maintained that the discovery of the alleged shrine amounted to a breach of that covenant and called on residents to remain vigilant against similar practices.
He also warned landlords to properly screen prospective tenants to prevent what he described as the introduction of "strange gods" into the community.
The group vowed to continue identifying and dismantling alleged shrines wherever they were found in Onne.
Reacting to the incident, Port Harcourt-based human rights activist Prince Wiro condemned the invasion and destruction of the shrine.
Wiro, who is the National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, described the action as a violation of the woman's constitutional right to freedom of religion and worship.
He called on security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible, stressing that disputes over religious beliefs should be resolved through lawful means rather than mob action.
