The Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Ikeja, Lagos State
Police Command, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Olatunji Disu, his men
and journalists from Television Continental (TVC), were attacked at
the Victorious Army International Church, located at ACME Road, Ikeja, Lagos
State.
The Commander and his men had gone to the church to enforcement the Lagos
State Government’s directives on social distance, which was so ordered because
of sudden upsurge of the coronavirus in the state.
Disu and men visited churches
located along Alausa, Agidingbi, ACME Road, Akilo, Ogba, Aguda, Yahaya Abatan,
Omole, Ojodu, Ogudu, Oregun, Toyin, Ikeja GRA, Allen, Opebi, Mobolaji
Bank Anthony Way , Olowopopo, Jobi Fele Way, Alapere, Oba Akran and Obafemi
Awolowo Way, to mention but a few.
Churches that chose to have their worship services and which had more
than 50 members in the congregation quietly shutdown after discussing with the
policemen and those that had less than 50 members in attendance were not
disturbed.
Trouble, however, started when the police team got to the Victorious Army International Church,
along Acme Road, at about 9 a.m. The policemen couldn’t gain entry because the
entrance gate into the church was under lock by their Officials. When the
officials allegedly saw the policemen, they started scampering around to inform
other members of the Church of the police presence.
When the entrance gate was eventually opened, some belligerent members
of the church, who saw one of the enforcement officers recording the church
activities, attacked and seized his two mobile phones; a Samsung S 8Plus and
Samsung J4.
The Church members also allegedly attacked TVC reporter, Ivy Kanu and
almost seized her phone. The TVC cameraman was also attacked as the church
officials allegedly tried unsuccessfully to prevent him from recording the
church premises.
Disu in attempt to de-escalating the crisis prevailed on the management
of the church to discontinue their service and prune down the attendance to
reflect the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu’s directive.
As at the time of filing this report, one of the phones, a Samsung
S8Plus was still being held by the church management after which they later
produced the Samsung J4.
Our reporter gathered that there was total compliance at all the places
visited. Some churches visited had their services online while some had banners
tied to their entrance informing worshippers to return home.
The CP has advised Lagosians, club owners and religious bodies to comply
with the State Government's directive, as the police would continue to monitor
compliance.
Disu told our reporter that the attack had been captured on video. The
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bala Elkana, said:
“Everyone policeman in the command went out today to ensure that churches
complied with the Lagos State Government’s directive.”
In Ogun State, Policemen belonging to
the task force set up by the Ogun State Government, on Sunday, stormed various
churches in the state to enforce the ban on high-density gatherings in the
state.
The task force led by Chief
Superintendent of Police (CSP), Toyin Afolaogun, disrupted services at some
churches and dispersed worshippers for allegedly flouting the government's
directive.
The Governor Dapo Abiodun-led
administration in the state had ordered indefinite closure of all schools and
also banned all religious centres and activities that bring together 50 or more
persons in the same place.
New Telegraph reports that while some
churches in Abeokuta and other parts of the state did not conduct regular
Sunday services, others defied the government directive and allowed congregants
to worship.
Some other churches amended their mode
of worship and conducted their services in batches.
Some of the churches visited in Abeokuta
by the task force include Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Quarry Road,
Abeokuta; St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Ibara; Celestial Church of Christ (CCC),
Ibara; St. John's Anglican Church, Igbein, Abeokuta; Gospel Faith Mission
International (GOFAMINT), Onikolobo; and the Redeemed Christian Church of God
(RCCG), Abiola Way.
At the Winners Chapel situated along
Quarry Road, Abeokuta, hundreds of worshippers who had assembled preparatory to
early morning service at 6:30am were dispersed by the task force operatives.
The policemen limited the number of
worshippers to 50 and forced others to leave the premises. Similar situation
was observed at the St. Anne's Catholic Church, Ibara where early morning mass
was held. Our correspondent observed that the church members adhered to the
protocol of social distancing.
At the church, the task force leader
counted the number of worshippers and upon discovering that the congregation
had over 50 people, he ordered the remainder out.
At the Celestial Church of Christ, Ibara,
a notice was conspicuously displayed at the church's gate, suspending the
service indefinitely.
The notice states: "In compliance
with the state government's directives on Coronavirus, church members and
visitors are hereby advised to stay away from the church premises until further
notice. Please, pray at home.”
Speaking with reporters in Abeokuta
after the enforcement exercise, Afolaogun said there was 80 per cent compliance
with the ban on high-density gatherings in the state. He warned that anyone who
failed to comply with the directive of the state government risks the wrath of
the law.
He said: "So far, so good, we have
recorded about 80 per cent compliance. The church that did not comply, we
politely told them to comply accordingly. We politely told them to leave and
re-assemble themselves. Anybody who fails to comply with the directive of
Governor Dapo Abiodun, for sure, will face the wrath of the law. We want to
appeal to the general public to comply with the directive of the state
government. Every directive should be complied with."
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