A Christ Embassy church has been sealed up in Akwa Ibom State after it was found to be violating the COVID-19 regulations given by the state’s task force.
This was revealed in a statement shown to newsmen in the state that was signed by the secretary to the state government who is also the chairman of Akwa Ibom state COVID-19 management committee, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem.
The statement revealed that the COVID-19 protocol compliance team in the state was attacked by members of the Christ Embassy church along with some of their pastors.
members of akwa ibom government akwa ibom church pastor christ embassy church akwa ibom being sealed
The statement reads, “Today, Sunday 21st June, the Akwa Ibom State Government and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Monitoring team, while on a routine compliance/inspection visit to the Christ Embassy Church, Nung Akpa Ime branch, State House of Assembly road, Off Nsikak Eduok Avenue to enforce the Akwa Ibom State government/Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)/World Health Organisation (WHO)/Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) guidelines and protocols adopted to prevent community spreading of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic in Akwa Ibom State, was obstructed, attacked and brutalized by the pastors and some members of the church.”
“In response to this act of lawlessness by that church and in order to avoid the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom state, the Christ Embassy Church building and premises are hereby sealed up with immediate effect till further notice. The suspected pastors and relevant members of the church will be made to face the wrath of the law.”
Akwa Ibom state has confirmed 65 cases of coronavirus, according to the latest figures released by the NCDC, with 23 still on admission, 40 discharged and 2 dead.