CORONAVIRUS: Lagos church members attack policemen enforcing ban on gatherings

Officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) enforcing the ban of large gatherings by the Lagos State Government to curb the spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease, also known as Coronavirus, were allegedly attacked by some members of the Victorious Army International Church, on Sunday.

It would recalled that the Lagos State Government, in a bid to control the spread of the virus, placed a ban on social and religious gatherings exceeding 50 persons. It was later reduced to 20.

While some religious outlets obeyed the restrictions, others flouted the order, holding services where thousands of congregants gathered on Sunday.

According to a statement by the RRS, members of the church’s branch on Acme Road in the Ogba area of the state also assaulted a TVC reporter, Ivy Kanu, and her cameraman.

The statement also said some of the church members attacked the enforcement officers of the RRS, who were recording the church’s activities, and seized two mobile phones, a Samsung S8+ and a Samsung J4, from them.

The RRS further said one of the phones, a Samsung S8+, was still being held by the church while the Samsung J4 had been released.

The statement read in part: “The Commander, Lagos State Rapid Response Squad, DCP Olatunji Disu, this morning (Sunday) forced the management of the Victorious Army International Church to comply with the Lagos State Government’s directive limiting gatherings to 50 persons to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Read also: COVID-19: Lagos Bus Services scraps standing arrangement in BRT

“The team got to the Acme Road branch of the church around 9am only to be locked out by the church, while officials of the church were seen running around to inform other members of the presence of the police.

“When the entrance gate to the church was opened, some belligerent church members, who saw one of the enforcement officers recording the church activities, attacked the officers and seized two mobile phones, a Samsung S8+ and a Samsung J4.

“The members equally attacked a TVC reporter, Ivy Kanu, and almost seized her phone. The TVC cameraman was equally attacked as they tried unsuccessfully to prevent him from recording around the church premises.

“Disu, in de-escalating the crisis, prevailed on the management of the church to discontinue the service and prune down the attendance in compliance with the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive.”

The statement also disclosed that there was total compliance in all the other places of worship visited as some churches had their services online, while others had banners on their entrances informing worshippers to go back home.

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