COVID-19: Security operatives chase out worshippers in Ogun state

 The Ogun state government deployed an enforcement team to ensure compliance of the ban on public and social gatherings across the state - The enforcement team on Sunday, March 22 chased out worshippers from churches who failed to comply with the directive - Churches affected include Winners Chapel and St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Abeokuta, the state capital Some worshippers were on Sunday, March 22 chased out of churches in Ogun by operatives of the task force deployed by the state government to enforce compliance with the ban on gatherings with over 50 people. The task force, led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Toyin Afolaogun, stormed churches in Abeokuta metropolis and dispersed worshippers for flouting the directive of the state government. Daily Sun reports that churches affected included a Winners Chapel branch in Quarry road and St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Ibara, both in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. Wedding, burial ceremonies banned as Lagos police begin crackdown on gatherings above 50 The worshippers were told to hold the service only if they were ready to comply with the directive, limiting the number of worshippers to 50. Addressing journalists after the enforcement exercise, Afolaogun said there was 80 per cent compliance in the state. Meanwhile, the headquarters of Winners Chapel in Ota, Ogun state went ahead with its Sunday services despite the government's ban. Also known as Cannan Land, the headquarters of the church has an auditorium with a capacity to seat 50,000 people. Many Nigerians took to social media to condemn the leadership of the church for not complying to the government's order. During the service, The general overseer of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo, said God has a solution for the virus. “Plagues cannot stop us. Coronavirus cannot stop God’s children, but I assure you that the solution will be found this week. “Only the help of God can save us, our markets are open so there is no way to curb this but only God can save Africa from this pandemic," Oyedepo, 65, declared.  the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria declared Sunday 22 and 29 March, as days of prayers against the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria and globally. Rev Samson Ayokunle, the president of CAN, in a statement directed churches in Nigeria to observe the dates set aside for prayers. CAN asked Christians to pray for God to stop the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria and all over the world and for God to protect Nigerians from this disease and heal those who have been infected already.