Following a directive by the Osun State Government on Saturday, bannig all public gatherings, many churches in the state on Sunday were deserted, DAILY POST reports .
Prince Wole Oyebamiji, Secretary to Osun State government, in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital, announced the ban, adding that the directive was with immediate effect.
The statement added that the latest directive became necessary following fresh cases of COVID-19, as announced by the Federal Ministry of Health.
It said: “Following the confirmed new cases of Coronavirus in Nigeria today, the State Government of Osun has announced that all public gatherings in the state under any banner or organisation, are banned.
“This in effect means there will be no church services tomorrow, March 22, 2020.
“This is in reaction to the increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 infected individuals, and its gradual spread to other states of the country.
“The State Government of Osun had initially announced a ban on public gatherings having 50 or more people, but today reviewed the position following the announcement of more confirmed cases by the Federal Ministry of Health”.
Meanwhile, our Correspondent observed that unlike the level of compliance to the earlier directive, which restricted human gathering to below 50, the outright ban appeared more effective, as government bacame more proactive in terms of enforcement.
The Headquarters of Winner Chapel, located around Ring Road in the metropolis was under lock and key when our Correspondent visited the church early Sunday morning.
Security guards at the entrance of the church declined comment, claiming they were not authorized to speak to press on any issue.
However, a middle-age woman, who simply identified herself as Mrs Kenneth claimed to be unaware of the ban.
She claimed to have come for first service before being told that there was no service as a result of ravaging Coronavirus.
“I just came back from farm yesterday, I have been away for over two weeks, I was not aware that there wouldn’t be service today, the security men said it is because of one sickness”, she said .
In the same way, the Redeemed Christian Church, situated around Gbongan-Osogbo road was also shut down, likewise Celestial Church of Christ, Parish 1, Ayetoro, as well as the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Region 79, Omobolanle district, Osogbo.
Meanwhile, there was an unconfirmed report that one of the orthodox churches within the metropolis was open for service, during which the pastor of the church was apprehended amid stiff resistance from church members.
Although, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, SP Folashade Odoro, when contacted declined comment, saying she was not aware of such development.
However, Mr Afolabi Babawale, the Public Relation Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Osun command told newsmen that officers of the corps who were part of the enforcement team were attacked at Ede.
He specifically accused members of Obada Baptism Church in the town of attacking NSCDC officers, alleging that a political leader in the town was said to have instigated the resistance.
