A man whose church located in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital was demolished by AKSG Covid-19 Task Force on Tuesday has vowed to sue the government over the demolition of his church.
The Senior Prophet Victor Elijah who is the founder of the church, said, “Akwa Ibom State Government should re-build my church, else I would seek redress in court.”
| The State government had ordered the demolition of the Knowledge of God Ministry, Uyo, on allegation of avoiding community transmission of COVID-19 in the state. |
The state Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, who led members of the COVID-19 Team demolished the Knowledge of God Ministry building located at Paulinus Urua Street, Uyo, and arrested its pastor, Prophet Victor Elijah and some members of the church.
The Chief of staff to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Ephraim Inyang-eyen, while briefing newsmen on the incident said he was shocked at the number of people crammed in one cubicle during a prayer meeting.
Inyang-eyen who oversees the Ministry of Works in the state explained that the pastor and some of his members were arrested for violating the guidelines governing the conduct of church services in the state.
He said, “We got a tip from a concerned citizen informing us that a certain church located at Paulinus Urua Street, Uyo, behind the Ministry of Works was having a special prayer service and we immediately responded.
“What we saw was a total disaster. Over one thousand people had assembled in a small cubicle; no social distancing and none of them was wearing a face mask.
“In response to this act of lawlessness and in order to avoid the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom State, we decided to arrest the pastor and some members of the church and the building demolished.”
He said the pastor and some of his members have been handed over to the police and would be made to face the wrath of the law.
