…Calls for Arrest of Pastors, Youth Leaders

A Port Harcourt-based rights activist, Prince Wiro, has condemned the alleged invasion of a private residence in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, where a group of youths and pastors reportedly destroyed materials said to be used for traditional worship.

Wiro, National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, also called for the arrest and prosecution of those captured in a viral video allegedly showing the incident.

In the video, youths were seen entering the residence of a woman identified as “Eze Nwanyi”, moving from room to room and removing materials they described as idols. The group reportedly claimed that idol worship had been abolished in the community several years ago.

Reacting to the incident, Wiro described the action as an infringement on the woman’s constitutional rights, arguing that the invasion of a private residence and destruction of property could not be justified by a community decision.

He cited Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to manifest and practise one’s religion or belief in private or in community with others.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes all community policies or laws. There is no section of the Rivers State law that criminalises idol worship,” Wiro said.

He described the incident as “mob action” and alleged violations of the women’s rights, including trespass, discrimination and malicious damage to property.

According to him, if members of the community believed the woman’s activities posed a threat to public peace, they should have reported the matter to the appropriate authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands.

Wiro also urged the Rivers State Ministry of Youth to require youth organisations to have access to legal advisers to prevent similar incidents.

He advised the woman whose property was allegedly destroyed to seek legal redress by petitioning the Commissioner of Police or instituting a civil action against those responsible.

However, Pastor Elijah, who was identified as one of those who led the destruction, defended the action, saying it was undertaken after the community became aware of what he described as idol worship in the residence.

In a video obtained by Revelation Agents, Elijah said he and Apostle Dandy visited the residence after receiving reports that such activities had been taking place there.

According to him, the woman attempted to explain that she was practising a form of worship, but they concluded that the materials found in the house amounted to idol worship.

Elijah said the community had, since 1973, maintained a position against public idol worship following what he described as a significant religious event involving community leaders at the time.

He expressed concern that the discovery of the shrine amounted to a breach of what he described as a covenant made by the community.

“We have already broken the covenant, which will cost us a lot to go and cry in our market square, with the whole community, to ask for mercy,” he said.

Elijah further warned landlords in Onne to properly ascertain the activities of prospective tenants before renting out their properties.

He also said the group would continue to investigate reports of similar practices in the community.

“Anywhere we hear such things, we will enter that house and bring them out,” he said.