Nigeria

COVID-19: Buhari says regulations on places of worship for safety reasons

Friday, July 31, 2020 at 10:49 AM by Kess Ewubare

- President Buhari said the regulations on places of worship were precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19

- Buhari urged worshipers to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines for the safety of their lives and loved ones

- The president admitted that the steps taken to contain COVID-19 have resulted in unintended consequences on the daily lives the people

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, July 30, told Nigerians that the regulations on places of worship were precautionary measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In his Sallah message to Muslims through a spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the president urged worshipers to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines for the safety of their lives and loved ones.

He said the measures taken to contain the spread of the disease had unfortunately limited people's freedom to gather and worship in large numbers in Mosques and Churches.

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COVID-19: Buhari says regulations on places of worship for safety reasons — President Buhari has urged worshipers to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines. Photo credits: Femi Adesina
Source: Facebook

Buhari said the daily lives the people have also been affected by the steps to contain COVID-19.

He, however, urged Nigerians to continue to show more understanding with the government as it takes steps to protect people through the social distancing.

“No elected government would intentionally take away its people's religious freedom by limiting the number of people that will gather in worship centres at the same time," he said

He said the safety measures should not be perceived as an infringement on people's right to worship.

The president wished Muslims a happy celebration and called on worshipers not to forget the symbolic significance of the sacrifices of the Eidel Kabir.

Meanwhile, in a bid to further strengthen the security apparatus throughout Nigeria, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has given an additional order to commissioners in all the 17 zonal commands of the country.

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In a statement by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) spokesman, Frank Mba, made available to Legit.ng, the IGP directed the commissioners and their respective Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) to carry out "intensive confidence building patrols in all nooks and crannies of the country."

The police boss stated that the exercises should be observed on major highways and around critical national infrastructure.

As he gave Nigerians assurance of utmost security, IGP Adamu also sent his goodwill message to all Nigerian Muslims who are celebrating the Eid-El-Kabir festival.

In another news, despite the recent spike in the Covid-19 cases in Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde has given directives for the opening of Muslim praying grounds across the state for Eid-l-Kabir prayer.

Muslim faithfuls across the world including Nigeria will hold their Sallah festival on Friday, July 31, ushering in fear and concern amid rise in coronavirus cases in the 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).