By Efe Onodjae 

Delta State residents, Mr. Tony Onohwakpor and her maternal aunt, have raised the alarm over alleged threats to their lives by individuals said to be members of a traditional religious group.

Onohwakpor, who is reportedly in hiding, made his situation known through his maternal aunt, Mrs. Gloria Okumaraye, during a chat with journalists in Warri.

According to Okumaraye, the threats against her nephew did not begin recently but date back several years, originating from pressures allegedly mounted on his late mother, Mrs. Felicia Onohwakpor.

She alleged that members of the group have insisted that Onohwakpor must return to join their religious fold, claiming that he possesses what they described as an “extraordinary inherited gift”, which, according to them, validates his participation in their traditional practices.

“They have been boasting that they will get him no matter where he is hiding,” she said, adding that the threats have persisted since his childhood.

Okumaraye further disclosed that multiple complaints had been lodged with the Nigerian Police Force over the matter, but no tangible action has been taken.

Expressing fear for her own safety, she claimed that the focus of the alleged threats has now shifted to her, following the group’s inability to locate her nephew.

“They started with my late sister, then moved to her son. Now that they cannot find him, I have become their target,” she said. 

She also linked her sister’s death to what she described as sustained pressure from the group, alleging that similar intimidation tactics are now being directed at her.

To support her claims, Okumaraye presented a video purportedly showing individuals dropping suspected fetish objects at her residence on January 19, 2026, alongside alleged threatening messages she said were sent by members of the group.

She called on relevant authorities to urgently intervene and provide protection for her and her family, questioning what she described as a growing trend of individuals being coerced into religious practices against their will.

“It should not be acceptable for anyone to be forced into any belief system. We need protection,” she said.

When Vanguard contacted the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, he didn’t respond to calls, nor did he reply to text messages sent to him.