Easter: Borno Christians Defy Lockdown Order, Attend Church Services

Christians in parts of Borno State yesterday attended Church congregations to celebrate this year’s Easter in defiance of lockdown order to prevent further spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
A check conducted in Maiduguri metropolis by our correspondent revealed that most churches visited, including New GRA, Post Office, Wulari, Bulumkutu and Polo areas, had remained open for services.
The churches include Christian Church Maiduguri, First Baptist Church, EYN Church Maiduguri, Living Faith Church, Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri and Saint Patrick Catholic Church.
Our correspondent reports that some of the churches directed their members to attend service in spite of the lockdown order by the federal, state and local governments on adherence to social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19.
A worshipper at Saint Patrick Catholic Catholic Church, Mr Simon Jude, said thousands of people have been turning up in many churches so that people can seek refuge and true healing.
Jude said that the prevailing circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak in other parts of the country necessitated the need for everyone to pray to seek devine intervention.
Another worshipper, Mr Julius Emmanuel, however said that the congregation were divided into four while the social distancing restriction was strictly adhered to.
Emmanuel said that the worshippers were encouraged to use hand sanitisers and wash thier hands properly before coming into the church.
“The church service was divided into different sessions to include between 5 a.m and 6.30 a.m.; 7.30 a.m and 9.30 a.m while during the evening, the congregation opened at about 4.30 p.m. and ran till 6.30 p.m.,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that churches like Christian Church, Maiduguri, First Baptist Church, EYN Church Maiduguri, Living Faith Church, recorded low turnout of worshippers as some of them worshiped at home.
However, a worshipper at First Baptist Church,Mr Godwin Abdul, said the church recorded low turnout of worshippers as many members of the church prayed from home.