Joy Anyim
Twenty-nine worshippers, including a pastor and an Islamic cleric, have been arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command, for flouting the Federal Government’s directive against congregational worship.
It was gathered that the Christian and Islamic clerics were arrested at different locations with their followers holding congregational service.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, paraded the violators at the Command’s headquarter, Ikeja, on Monday.
Odumosu said the Islamic cleric, Rasheed Jimoh, 40, and 13 others were arrested in a Mosque at Olushi, on Lagos Island, while 61-year-old Apostle Shepherd Moses Peter, and 16 worshippers were arrested at Christ Desire Sabbath Mission, Akpeno Street, Olodi-Apapa.
He said, “On May 9, 2020, at 1:10p.m., operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), arrested an Islamic cleric, Rasheed Jimoh, 40, and 13 others in a Mosque at Olushi, Lagos Island.
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“They were arrested while holding congregational prayers in violation of the order issued by Government.
“In a related development, on the same date at 4p.m., Policemen on enforcement duty from Tolu Division arrested a Christian Cleric, Apostle Shepherd Moses Peter, 61, and 16 others.
“They were arrested at Christ Desire Sabbath Mission, Olodi, Apapa, holding congregational service. The suspects will be charged to Court.”
Reacting to the allegation, Apostle Peter denied holding a worship service. He said the church was only distributing palliatives made available by the church leadership.
“We only asked our members to come that evening to get palliatives. We even cooked for some who wanted to eat there, while foodstuffs was made available for them to take away.
“I believed our arrest was based on information and even when I tried to explain to the policemen who cane for our arrest, they didn’t listen to me.”
