Tension gripped a community in Abia State after a man reportedly disrupted a church night vigil, brandishing a cutlass and accusing worshippers of making excessive noise during the service.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred late at night while congregants were engaged in prayers.
The suspect allegedly stormed the church premises uninvited and confronted worshippers, demanding that the service be stopped. His sudden appearance with a weapon triggered panic, forcing many worshippers to flee for safety.
Community members and security operatives were eventually mobilised to the scene, where they intervened and succeeded in calming the situation before it escalated further. No fatalities were reported, although the incident left worshippers shaken.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities have not officially confirmed whether the suspect has been arrested.
Security agencies say investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the man’s motive, including whether the action was solely linked to a noise complaint or other underlying issues.
Residents have called on law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of religious gatherings and prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the community.