Church members attack policemen enforcing ban on religious gatherings
An enforcement team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos state Police Command were on Sunday attacked by some church members of the Victorious Army International Church, Acme Road branch, Ogba.
The police team which was led by the Commander RRS, DCP Olatunji Disu had on Sunday morning forced the management of the church to comply with the Lagos state government’s directive limiting any gathering to 50 persons to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the state.
According to a press statement by the RRS, the team got to the church at past 9:00 am, only to be locked out by the church, while officials of the church were seen scampering around to inform other members of the presence of the police.
“When the entrance gate was opened, some belligerent church members who saw one of the enforcement officers recording the church activities attacked them and seized two mobile phones, a Samsung S 8+ and Samsung J4.
“The members equally attacked a television reporter (name withheld) and almost seized her phone. Her camera man was equally attacked as they tried unsuccessfully to prevent him from recording in and out of the church premises.
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“DCP Disu in de-escalating the crisis prevailed on the management of the church to discontinue the service and prune down the attendance to reflect Governor Babajide Sanwoolu’s directive. The Samsung S 8+ is still being held by the church after reluctantly producing a Samsung J4,” the statement read.
The team had commenced compliance monitoring early, as religious organisations in 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, were visited.
According to the police team, there was total compliance on all the places visited, as some churches visited had their services online while some had banners tied to their entrance informing worshippers to go back home.
It would be recalled that the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu had advised Lagosians, club owners and religious bodies to comply with the state government’s directive, as the police would continue to monitor compliance.
