A viral video has captured a dramatic incident in Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, where a man armed with a cutlass stormed a church during an ongoing night vigil to protest excessive noise from the services.

The visibly frustrated individual entered the premises, brandishing the cutlass and ordering worshippers to leave and stop the program, citing the loud disturbances as intolerable. Church members attempted to calm him down, but he persisted, leading to panic among attendees who reportedly scampered for safety. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The video, which surfaced on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram on Tuesday, has sparked widespread debate about noise pollution from religious activities in residential neighborhoods. Many Nigerians have expressed sympathy for the man’s frustration, pointing to the common issue of all-night vigils, loudspeakers, and amplified services disrupting sleep and daily life.

@thenigerialawyer“I Can’t Take The Noise Anymore” — Frustrated Resident Storms Church With Cutlass During Night Vigil Over Noise Disturbance In Umuahia

♬ original sound – TheNigeriaLawyer

Social media users shared varied opinions:

  • One user, #mrboboskie, commented: “Noise pollution isn’t a good thing, but the church members do not do well; they should have given the man a proper beating for showing up with a cutlass.”
  • #dahtgirl_ajex wrote: “I want to say this is not the right approach, but what if he approached the right sources and nothing was done, and he couldn’t bear it again? You can tell he has endured enough. Please stop building churches in residential areas.”
  • #Joe_Bassey noted: “They will all see him as a devil, neglecting the fact that they don’t have soundproofing. He can equally sue them and win the case.”
  • #felixherbt added: “You will understand his frustration if your house is near one of these Pentecostal churches. Their noise pollution is annoying.”

Critics condemned the use of a weapon, arguing that legal channels—such as complaints to local authorities or environmental agencies—should be pursued instead of violent confrontation.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over noise pollution in Nigeria. Authorities in states like Lagos have previously sealed churches and other establishments for violating environmental regulations on noise levels. In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti has reportedly received numerous petitions on similar issues in recent times, underscoring the need for compliance with noise control laws enforced by bodies like the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

As the video continues to circulate, the event has reignited calls for better regulation of religious and commercial activities in densely populated areas to balance freedom of worship with residents’ right to peace and quiet.

Authorities have not yet confirmed any arrests or official response to the specific incident.

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