OBI-IN-Council in Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, has incurred the wrath of the people of the community.
Its offence: It ordered a ban on drumming and the use of public address system till December 31.
The ban was to herald the community?s Igwe Festival, celebrated every four years.
Investigations by the Nigerian Compass revealed that the ban was announced by the next-in-command to the Obi (prime minister of the community), Chief Ignatius Boi, who, according to the police, was acting on behalf of the traditional ruler of the town, Alhaji Muhammed Mustapha Erenuma, who is in Saudi Arabia as the Amiru Hajj of the state.
It was gathered that Christians in the community, led by the Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in the council, The Rev. Fidelis Ossai, and seven other ministers of God in their protest letter to the police insisted that ?considering the number of days and the time when activities are much in churches and other social engagements at the Yuletide, the ban cannot work?.
The protest was further sparked off because the police in Abavo said it would extend its patrol to areas where churches located as the christians have warned that nobody should be molested in accordance with Section 38 (1) of the country?s constitution which seeks to protect the right to free worship.
Now palpable fear have gripped the worshippers in the town for fear of being attacked by miscreants, regarded as religious fanatics, who may exploit the situation to instigate mayhem like what happened in Jos recently, after attempts by the police to settle church leaders and the chiefs met no consensus.
The Police Public Relations Officer ASP Charles Muka who confirmed the report assured that no worshipper would be molested.
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