LOCKDOWN: Bayelsa govt arrests 9 pastors, to prosecute them for holding church services

Bayelsa government has arrested nine pastors for flouting the lockdown order in the state to hold church services.

The Governor Douye Diri led government of the state has since banned public gatherings as well as ordered a lockdown of the state to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

But the pastors were said to have flaunted the order and were arrested on Sunday, May 3, by the Bayelsa State Task Force on COVID-19.

The pastors included P. B. Barima of the Methodist Church, Obogoro, Timi Aaron of Believers Love World, Akenfa, Adaba Glory of Saint Paul Healing Church, and Chris Ezene of God’s Grace Salvation Ministry, Obogoro.

The rest are Plus B. James of Prophetic Grace Love Ministry, Opolo; Alfred Munemune of Halleluyah Deliverance Ministries International; Daniel Owi, Winners Chapel, Obogoro; Sardauna Oguta, All for Christ Zion Church, Akenfa 3; and Tony Justice Samugba, New Covenant Tabernacle Ministry also of Akenfa 3.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and member of the task force, Freston Akpor announced the development to newsmen.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Kwara govt imposes curfew on state

He said the pastors were being detained at the police headquarters in the state and would be charged to court for alleged violation of the COVID-19 order.

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