More than 200 Muslim faithful in Gora village along the Abuja-Keffi highway moved their Friday congregational prayers to the bush to evade social distancing restrictions imposed by the Nasarawa State Government in an effort to check the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The imam who led the prayers and the organisers were later arrested and detained by the police in the Uke Division of Karu Local Government Area, HumanAngle reports.
It was very easy for people of different ages to converge in the premises of a Mango Tree Garden to pray because they are victims of disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, said an eyewitness.
There is increasing agitation amongst some Muslims across the North and the Southwest of Nigeria over restrictions that limit congregational prayers.
It is believed that unless the government steps up awareness of the need for social distancing measures and also puts in place palliative measures, many people will continue to resist restrictions on movement.
HumAngle earlier reported that in states such as Abia, Ebonyi, and Kogi, the state governments have relaxed restrictions on movement to allow residents to participate in religious activities.
The Rivers State government has permitted Muslims and Christians to conduct services on Friday, April 10, and Easter Sunday, April 12.
The Katsina State Government has also made exception to the general lockdown by declaring that Muslim faithful could observe Jum’at prayers in a congregation under certain guidelines.
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