By TOBI AWORINDE, SODIQ OYELEKE and KAYODE OYERO

Nigerians have lambasted pastors and Islamic clerics who flouted the government’s ban on gatherings of more than 50 persons in the wake of the increasing cases of coronavirus infections in the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also came under fire for attending a public lecture on Friday.

Some state governments and the Federal Capital Territory Administration have banned gatherings of more than 50 persons per time to prevent community transmission of COVID-19.

There are 27 cases of the virus in Nigeria as of Sunday, The PUNCH reports.

Muslim organisations were flayed for holding Juma’at and Asalatu services on Friday and Sunday respectively.

Nigerians on social media called on the government to arrest and prosecute Imams and leaders of Islamic groups that defied the not-more-than-50 directive.

One of them, Dipo @Olatejulukman1, said it was pathetic to see Muslims holding Friday services and Asalatu.

“Religion has really eaten deep into Africans that we can’t see what is right from what’s wrong. Some even supported the mosque holding Jumaat on Friday. Pathetic. Damn,” he added.

“The police should arrest the rogue clerics during this clampdown on all these religious houses. One mosque is even having their Asalatu in Ilasa Maja now,” @YemieFash said.

Pastors of mega-churches in the country, including Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church, Ota, aka Winners’ Chapel, were also flayed for holding a regular Sunday service.

A Facebook user who identified as ‘Jesus Junior Bro’, said, “In as much as I love these men of God, please let’s not encourage disobedience. The Bible asked us to obey the government and those in authority (Romans 13:1-5). Obedience is better than sacrifice.”

Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Church, Abuja, was also criticised for holding a regular service at his 100,000 capacity auditorium despite the directive of the FCTA.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, came under fire over a public lecture he attended in Abuja over the weekend.

@global_honey said, “I’m disappointed sir. At this time? Can’t this event wait?”

@julietkego said, “Do you people have basic common sense? Can you prioritise the lives and health of citizens for once? What is so urgent about this lecture that it cannot be rescheduled in light of the current realities and crisis? Do the President and his aides even know about #COVID19Nigeria?!”

@sulaimanaa said, “What is the essence of closing schools when you still gather people for lectures?”

@zikaay said, “In the era of social distancing? The threat is real and gatherings like this need to be re-considered soonest.”

According to statistics from the World Health Organisation African Region, there are over 600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in more than 35 countries in the continent.

WHO African Region reported that as of Friday, there are surging cases of community transmission of the virus in over 12 African countries.

It emphasised the need for social distancing in the time being to prevent further spread of the virus.

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