No fewer than 29 worshippers including a pastor and an Islamic cleric have been arrested by police operatives in Lagos for floutiing the Federal Government directive against congregational worship.
It was
gathered that the Christan and Islamic clerics were arrested at different locations with their followers holding congregational service.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, confirmed the arrest while parading the offenders and other suspected criminals at the Command’s headquarter, Ikeja.
According to him, the Islamic cleric, Rasheed Jimoh, 40 years old; and 13 others were arrested in a Mosque at Olushi, Lagos Island.
Odumosu added that they were apprehended on May 9, 2020 at about 1.13pm during Friday Jumat prayer by police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Command.
Similarly, the police chief said that the pastor named Apostle Shepherd Moses Peter and 16 others were apprehended same day for the same offence.
The police commissioner disclosed that Peter, 61, and 16 others were arrested at Christ Desire Sabbath Mission, Olodi, Apapa while holding congregational service.
He said that they were arrested by police operatives attached to Tolu Division, who were on enforcement duty in the area at about 4pm.
His words: “They were arrested while holding a congregational prayers in violation of the order issued by government.
Odumosu hinted that the offenders would be charged to court soon.
However, one of the clerics, Apostle Peter, denied the allegation, saying they never contravened the order.
Peter said that he was at the venue with other congregants to offer palliatives to their members to cushion the effect of the lockdown.