Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, has denied ordering that the closure of churches in the state, contrary to reports in some quarters.
According to the Lagos police boss, report linking him with an order to keep churches shut during this festive season was distorted and ran contrary to the position of the command.
Odumosu made the clarification in a statement issued on Thursday through the spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
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The clarification was made shortly after he ordered the enforcement of all protocols by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 including the restriction of movement between 12am and 4am in an earlier statement.
Odumosu stated that he didn’t order the closure of churches but nightclubs, bars, lounges, and event centres.
The statement reads;
The command’s statement was explicit on the enforcement of COVID-19 protocols as clearly stated by the Presidential Taskforce and the Lagos State Government respectively.
For clarification, the preventive COVID-19 protocols include the use of face mask at public places, maintaining social distancing, closure of night clubs, bars, lounges, event centres; no social party, street carnivals and due enforcement of the Federal Government imposed 12 midnight to 4am curfew.
No closure of churches was included in the already established and released COVID-19 protocols contrary to mischievous publications.
It added;
The Police Command wishes to state categorically that according to the directive of the Lagos State Government, churches are allowed to operate in accordance with the already laid down protocols, while event centres can operate with the permission of the Lagos State Safety Commission with due consideration to the COVID-19 guidelines in the state.
The Command, therefore, wishes to urge the general public to go about their lawful businesses; and they are also urged to be involved in the moves to halt the spread of the pandemic in the state.
