A late-night church vigil in Umuahia, Abia State, was disrupted on Monday after a former state commissioner allegedly confronted worshippers over excessive noise from the event.
The incident occurred at Umuobasi Hall in Ugba Ibeku, where a church had rented the venue for an overnight vigil. According to eyewitness accounts shared on social media, the noise from loudspeakers reportedly disturbed residents living close to the hall, prompting a heated reaction.
The man involved has been identified online as Chief Charles Ogbonna, a former Abia State commissioner. Reports indicate that he approached the venue to express his frustration over the disturbance. The situation briefly escalated before his children intervened and helped calm him down.
Although no physical injuries were recorded, some sound equipment at the venue was reportedly damaged during the confrontation. Videos of the incident quickly circulated online, igniting public debate over noise pollution, religious activities, and community coexistence.
The episode has once again drawn attention to Nigeria’s long-standing challenges with regulating noise levels, especially during night-time religious vigils held in residential neighborhoods. Despite frequent complaints from residents, the country lacks comprehensive and uniformly enforced national laws on noise control.
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Community leaders and social commentators have since called for better dialogue between religious groups and residents, as well as clearer regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.