Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
Youths in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, have reportedly destroyed an alleged unorthodox religious centre operated by a woman described as a priestess of a marine deity.
The incident occurred after residents reportedly discovered the shrine being operated at a location within the community.
According to accounts from the community, the development has renewed concerns over the presence of traditional religious practices in Onne, where residents had, decades ago, collectively resolved to abandon personal deities, occultic shrines and related practices.
The decision reportedly dates back to 1973, when members of the community allegedly linked a series of mysterious deaths and unexplained ailments to the activities of some shrines and personal deities established in the area.
It was reported that some residents had previously introduced the deities to the community, believing they would provide supernatural protection and powers against perceived enemies.
However, following the deaths and illnesses allegedly associated with the practices, community members were said to have removed the deities and resolved not to allow similar shrines to be established in Onne again.
The latest incident reportedly occurred after youths learnt that a woman from Anambra State, said to be a priestess of a marine deity, was operating a shrine in the community.
The youths reportedly mobilised to the location and dismantled the centre, where they allegedly found several objects, including religious images, pictures, wooden figures, a pigeon, calabashes and containers containing different liquids.
The shrine was subsequently destroyed and reportedly set ablaze by the youths.
The woman, who was said to have claimed that she was registered and licensed to practise her religious activities, was reportedly confronted by the youths over the operation of the shrine.
The circumstances surrounding her alleged registration or licensing, however, could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
The incident has sparked renewed discussions among residents about the community’s long-standing position against the establishment of such religious centres.
Stonix News could not independently verify the full circumstances surrounding the destruction of the centre or establish whether any arrests were made in connection with the incident.
