Panic erupted at the Central Mosque in Auchi, Edo State, on Friday afternoon when a swarm of bees invaded the prayer hall, forcing worshippers to flee and disrupting the weekly Juma’at prayers.

Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred just as congregants had assembled for the obligatory prayer. The swarm reportedly descended rapidly into the mosque, bringing the service to an abrupt halt. Worshippers, including men and women, were seen abandoning their prayer mats and running out of the mosque in fear, trying to avoid being stung.

Viral videos circulating on social media captured the chaotic scene, showing the dense swarm of bees inside the mosque and worshippers scampering for safety.

The incident has drawn mixed reactions from the local community, with some attributing it to spiritual causes, while others have called for calm and rational explanations.

A local beekeeper shed light on the phenomenon, explaining that such swarm behavior is natural and can occur when scout bees search for a new nesting site.

 “Once a queen is found, the swarm may cluster temporarily in unusual locations—buildings, trees, even worship centers. The Central Mosque, being a large, enclosed space, likely seemed ideal,” he said.

Meanwhile, the mosque management has pledged to clean and inspect the facility thoroughly ahead of the next Juma’at prayer. There are no reports of serious injuries from the incident.

Community leaders have also urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified spiritual interpretations.