Ephraim Inyang-eyen, Chief of Staff to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has said that the state demolished Knowledge of God Ministry, Uyo because it went against coronavirus protocols.
Mr Inyang-eyen, who also functions as commissioner for works, stated this whie briefing reporters on Wednesday.
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 1,000 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.”
Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Imohimi Edgal, on Tuesday, led members of the COVID-19 team to demolish the church.
The pastor, Prophet Victor Elijah, and some members of the church were arrested.