Why FCTA is shutting churches, mosques, arresting worshippers in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) task force on Sunday embarked on a citywide tour to enforce the lockdown imposed on the nation’s capital to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Abuja presently has 16 cases, Lagos- 59, Ogun- 3, Enugu- 2, Ekiti- 1, Oyo- 7, Edo- 2, Bauchi- 2, Osun-2, Rivers-1, Benue- 1, Kaduna- 1.
While many residents across the country have been complying with the stay at home order by the government, some have been violating the rules by going to religious centers to worship. A special task force set up to enforce the order visited some churches in the FCT on Sunday where a large gathering of worshippers were seen in a service.
The team led by Ikharo Attah visited Jesus Reign Family church in Apo and a branch of Christ Embassy, Jabi-Utako area where they met an ongoing service with a large number of worshippers in attendance. The team arrested the presiding pastors for flouting the government’s order.
In a Twitter statement, the FCTA said the Christ Embassy church was shut for conducting a wedding programme amid lock down order and ban on large gathering in the city.
FCTA also tweeted: “On Friday, March 27, a Juma’at Service at the Federal Housing mosque in Kubwa was intercepted by the FCT Enforcement Team. The Imam was said to have absconded, still at large. Mosque is under lock and key.”
