Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, on Thursday, says he did not order the closure of churches in the state.
Odumosu had in an earlier statement instructed men of the Force to enforce all protocols by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 including the restriction of movement between 12am and 4am.
In a subsequent statement also signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police boss, however, said he didn’t order the closure of churches but nightclubs, bars, lounges, and event centres.
Odumosu’s clarification comes as churches plan to hold crossover services on the night of December 31, 2020.
The statement partly read, “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.
“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.”
