For allegedly violating a subsisting lockdown order in Delta State, three pastors and 20 of their parishioners were on Sunday arrested by police in the Warri area of the state.
The pastors and their parishioners were arrested in an operation led by the Warri Area Commander, ACP Mohammed Garba.
The suspects were arrested at St James Anglican Church, Ojabugbe, All Saints Anglican Church, Airport Road and Christ For the World Mission, Daudu Street while holding church services purportedly in commemoration of Easter.
One of the churches was said to have been attended by more than 100 congregants.
The Herald recalls that the Delta State Government had tweeted a message Saturday evening reiterating the ongoing stay-at-home order imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state.
Similarly, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu had also dismissed rumour that the restriction on movement and public gathering would be lifted for the Easter celebrations in churches.
The message followed rumour that circulated that the Ifeanyi Okowa-led state government had relaxed the order to enable Christians mark the Easter celebrations.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), three cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the South-South state.
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In an Easter message via its verified Twitter handle, NCDC stated, “Remember that today, it is our joint responsibility to stay at home, as we work together to stop the spread of #COVID19 in Nigeria
“Please avoid gatherings and crowded places to keep you and your loved ones safe.”