The holding of church service by nine pastors in Bayelsa has led to their arrest. Governor Douye Diri had issued a lockdown order which was violated by the pastors leading to their arrest by the Bayelsa State Task Force on COVID-19.
The arrested pastors included P. B. Barima of the Methodist Church, Obogoro; Timi Aaron of Believers Love World, Akenfa; Adaba Glory of Saint Paul Healing Church; and Chris Ezene of God’s Grace Salvation Ministry, Obogoro. Also arrested were Plus B. James of Prophetic Grace Love Ministry, Opolo; Alfred Munemune of Halleluyah Deliverance Ministries International; Daniel Owi, Winners Chapel, Obogoro; Sardauna Oguta, All for Christ Zion Church, Akenfa 3; and Tony Justice Samugba, New Covenant Tabernacle Ministry also of Akenfa 3.
The pastors are currently in detention at the police headquarters in the state and are expected to face charges for violating the COVID-19 order, as stated by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and member of the task force, Freston Akpor.
Bayelsa, located in the South-South region of Nigeria, has recorded 5 cases of Coronavirus so far.