The Akwa Ibom State government has explained why it demolished a church in Uyo, the capital city, and arrested its pastor and some members.
The Ephraim Inyang-eyen, the new Chief of staff to Governor Udom Emmanuel, who spoke with newsmen, said Knowledge of God Ministry was demolished to avoid community transmission of COVID-19 in the state.
Inyang-eyen said over 1,000 people were crammed in a cubicle for a prayer meeting.
He added that the pastor and some of his members were arrested for violating the guidelines governing the conduct of church services in the state.
He said,
“We got a tip from a concerned citizen informing us that a certain church located at Paulinus Urua Street, Uyo, behind the Ministry of Works was having a special prayer service and we immediately responded.
“What we saw was a total disaster. Over one thousand people had assembled in a small cubicle; no social distancing and none of them was wearing a face mask.
“In response to this act of lawlessness and in order to avoid the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom State, we decided to arrest the pastor and some members of the church and the building demolished.”
He said the pastor and some of his members have been handed over to the police and would be made to face the wrath of the law.
WuzupNigeria reports that the state Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, led members of the COVID-19 Team on Tuesday to demolish the church building at Paulinus Urua Street and arrested Prophet Victor Elijah and some worshippers.
