Worshippers at an Assemblies of God Church in Ughelli, Delta State, were thrown into panic on Sunday when a group of men in uniform allegedly stormed the church during service and clashed with the presiding pastor and his wife.

The incident, which has circulated widely on social media platform X, has drawn outrage among residents, with many questioning the circumstances and the identity of those involved.

In the video, chaos unfolded inside the church auditorium as the uniformed men struggle with the pastor and his wife while frightened congregants look on. The situation escalates into a free-for-all, disrupting the service and causing alarm.

Eyewitnesses said the confrontation worsened when one of the men reportedly discharged tear gas inside the church. The pastor and his wife were affected, with the woman collapsing and triggering panic among worshippers.

A female worshipper, heard in the video, shouted that the men were “spraying tear gas on the pastor and his wife” before fleeing.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the altercation remains unclear, and the identity and affiliation of the men have not been officially established.

Reacting, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, said the individuals in the video were not police officers but church workers. He added that the command had not received any formal complaint from the church, making it difficult to determine what led to the confrontation.

On how the men obtained tear gas, Edafe said such items are increasingly accessible and can be purchased in open markets.

The incident has continued to generate debate, with calls for an investigation to establish the facts and ensure accountability. Concerns have also been raised about the ease of access to tear gas and its use in public spaces.

Church authorities have yet to issue an official statement as tension remains high in the community.

Photo: Officers. Caption: Scene of the incident