The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has ordered Commissioners of Police in States where restrictions order have been slammed to ensure enforcement continues even as Christians across the nation prepare to celebrate the Easter period.
The directive of the Inspector General of Police runs counter to earlier positions taken by some State Governors.
For example, Katsina, which has registered the death of a medical doctor through the Coronavirus (COVID-19), has relaxed the restriction order to allow for unhindered Jumaat worship on Friday.
For Ebonyi, Easter Sunday worship will hold all over the State. The State has registered nil number of confirmed cases. And in Rivers State, the restriction order is lifted within the State to allow markets to open for two days to allow Easter shopping.
But a statement by the Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, states that the continued implementation of the restriction order has become necessary to curb the community spread of COVID-19, a pandemic that has shaken the whole world including Nigeria.
The IGP’s message charged Christians in Nigeria to emulate and adopt the selfless lifestyle of Jesus Christ as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate Easter.
“The IGP calls on religious leaders in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as other States affected by the restriction orders, to continue to cooperate with relevant government agencies and use their leadership positions to encourage worshipers to observe Prayers and Worship Programs in the confines of their homes.
“The IGP expresses deep concerns that for the first time in the annals of our history, circumstances have compelled us to emplace restrictions on social gatherings, which inevitably is also affecting religious programmes of all faiths. He, therefore, enjoins Nigerians to see the restrictions in the light of the symbolism of Easter, which connotes sacrifice, tolerance, perseverance, love, and ultimate triumph,” the statement added.
