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Coronavirus: Video shows moment Abuja pastor is arrested inside church

Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 6:10 PM by Khadijah Thabit

- The Federal Capital Territory enforcement team arrested a pastor inside his church on Sunday, March 29

- The clergyman, Pastor U Uden, was accused of flouting the no church directive issued by the government

- A video by the FCTA team showed the moment Ikharo Attah, its chairman, schooled the pastor on the Bible before arresting him

A top pastor in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, was on Sunday, March 29, arrested by the Federal Capital Territory enforcement team for flouting government order over coronavirus.

The clergyman, whose name was given as Pastor U Uden, was said to have flouted the directive that all worship centres including churches and mosques be shut.

The enforcement team led by Ikharo Attah stormed the big church while service was ongoing.

Attah reminded the pastor of some biblical portions which proved that the clergyman had done wrong by not obeying the authorities.

He thereafter asked the pastor to follow the team because he had questions to answer.

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On its official Twitter handle, the enforcement team confirmed the arrest of the pastor.

"FCTA Enforcement Team arrests self-styled General Overseer of Jesus Reign Family church, Apo, Pastor U Uden for violating ban on places on worship.

Despite the presence of the team he continued the service while the team waited to avoid confrontation. He was arrested thereafter," the statement accompanying the video said.

Legit.ng had reported that while some clergymen had suspended church activities as declared by the government, others earlier flouted the instruction.

Pastor William Kumuyi, the general superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, was one of those who suspended all Sunday services at the church’s headquarters in Gbagada.

The report said the church’s Tuesday leadership meeting and the Saturday workers meeting at the headquarters were also cancelled due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, some top Nigerians have been speaking out about their statuses in relation to the virus termed COVID -19.

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For example, coronavirus tests carried out on the former emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and his wives reportedly came back negative.

The report quoted PM NEWS as stating that the confirmation of their health statuses in relation to the COVID-19 was contained in a statement signed by his son, Adam Sanusi, on Sunday, March 29.

The report quoted Sanusi, in the statement, as urging Nigerians to ensure they comply with the instructions from the government concerning the virus.

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Also, twenty-hours after Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna tested positive to coronavirus, the result of the test carried out on his colleague in Niger state, Abubakar Bello, is out.

Governor Bello's result came out on Sunday, March 29, negative to the virus that has hit the state and affected some top government officials.