For defiling the order by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA. banning public gatherings to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, pastor of a popular Abuja Pentecostal church landed in hot soup on Sunday.
Agents of the FCTA Enforcement Team arrested the General Overseer of Jesus Reign Family Church, Apo, Pastor U. Uden, shortly after concluding the worship service and in the full glare of parishioners who were trooping home.
A report by the Punch newspaper said Uden, who was quite aware of the presence of the enforcement team in the church premises, took his time and concluded the service as the team waited patiently to enforce its mandate without creating any scene.
The newspaper further revealed that the FCTA released a video in which the Chairman of the team, Mr. Ikharo Attah, delivered a speech in the presence of Uden and his church members, shortly before his arrest.
“You have violated and you have broken the rules. And you have done what is not appropriate,” Attah reportedly said in the video.
“On Friday, we shut down some mosques at Kubwa. Today, we went around and said there should not be gatherings and we understand clearly well that you understand the holy books clearly well.
“When the Messiah Jesus was asked question by the Pharisees about Caesar. He said to them to give what belongs to Caesar to Caesar. And when Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of God that abided in Rome in Romans 13:1-2, he told them to be subject to all authority for they are being ordained by God. I know you understand that very clearly.
“We said people should sit down and stay at home. And if they sit at home, whatever prayer they want to offer can be offered. That means that our prayers can be heard anywhere.”
Pastor Uden reportedly nodded repeatedly and wiped his face with a handkerchief as Attah spoke.
“What you are doing is a contravention,” Attah continued. “It is a breach of the rule.
“And as a people under God living and enforcing the law for such a time as this, we will do what is appropriate.
“You will come with us for explanations.”
Uden was whisked away in a police vehicle with “RRS 113” inscribed on it after Attah concluded his speech.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC confirmed that the FCT, as at Sunday, ranked second among states with the highest cases of COVID-19 infections, with 16 cases.
