3 Pastors arrested for defying govt restrictions order

Despite the public annoucements against the coronavirus pandemic as well as the movement restriction order by the federal government, three pastors have been arrested in Warri, Delta State, for holding Easter services for violating the law.

They are; the Vicar of the All Saints Church, Airport road, Rev. David Nnamani; General Overseer of Christ for the World Mission, Rev. Dan Obong; and a Reverend father of the Anglican Church in Warri whose name was not disclosed.

The arrests were made by the Warri police area command led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Garba, who swooped on the pastors as they held Easter services.

It would be recalled that on a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the state, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Delta police command had on Saturday issued a directive advising religious institutions not to hold Easter services and to direct their members to stay at home.

Also, 20 others were arrested in Warri and neighbouring Uvwie local councils for flouting the stay at home order. They are presently being detained at the A Division and Area Command police stations pending when they would be charged to court.

According to the police, many of the arrested persons claimed to have permits but failed to produce such. Two of the arrested pastors, according to the police, said they were not holding a normal service but merely a low-key fellowship with neighbours.

The Director General, Security Matters in Delta, Mr. David Tonwe, and the police area commander blamed the pastors for not adhering to government’s order, saying the pastors would be charged to court for flouting the stay at home directive.

It was learnt that shortly after the arrests, some concerned pastors stormed the police stations to canvass the release of their colleagues but the police authorities bluntly refused, urging them to be in court tomorrow (Tuesday), when they would be arraigned.