Coronavirus: Taskforce disperses defiant muslim worshippers in Ogun State

Ogun State Task Force on Illegality on Friday, dispersed congregation at the Najomo Central Mosque in Adatan, Abeokuta while holding Friday jumat service inspite of government order banning such, following coronavirus outbreak.

Penpushing reports that, the Chief Imam of the mosque, Moshood Taiwo was also caught in the web of the illegality as he was leading  the prayer before the task force led by Commander Toyin Afolaogun, raced to the mosque and bust the scheduled jumat service

The 78 – year-old Chief Imam, while being cautioned against the illegality, engaged the task force team leader, a Chief Superintendent of Police in a heated argument, insisting   he did not commit any  wrongdoing  by conducting Jumat prayer.

The  Islamic leader further posited that, the worshippers were exercising their rights and  praying  to God to wipe  Coronavirus out of the country, and when confronted with  the government order  banning  gathering of over 20 people, he  said he had started  the prayer with only fifteen worshippers and that he was not aware  when the number increased above the limit.

“The government did not say we should close the mosque. What we came here for is to pray for the Muslims  and Nigeria concerning the virus. I told some people to wait outside and ensure they don’t allow people to join us.  But, when they started hearing the prayers I was making for the state and Nigeria, some of them were forced to enter the mosque.

“I did not violate any rule of the government.  I am part of the government. I am the Imam here and I am telling you what is in the sharia. The governor should have told you to arrest us and charge us to court, I am ready for that.”

Penpushing further reports that, the Chief Imam when  told of the consequence of his action, declared that he is not endangering the lives  of the members of the congregation, arguing that,”I am not endangering any life because the virus will not come into the mosque.  It is a sanctuary, it will not come into the mosque.

“I am assuring you, I am an Islamic scholar of repute, it will not come to the mosque. I have a friend in Jeddah who came to Saudi yesterday and phoned me that the Kaaba was wide open because it is a sanctuary that people should come and pray for world epidemic.”

The taskforce commander later visited some motor parks where he enforced two passengers per seat directive, and urged the leaders of transport Union to ensure compliance with a view to curtailing the spread.

Penpushing also reports that,the Commander while speaking with journalists after the exercise, is going to be continuous, adding  that the compliance was in order,, except the only mosque which committed the crime of Illegality.

“It’s only in a Mosque we discovered that there were about 30 people and we quickly dispersed them. Other mosques complied accordingly. So, we have seen compliance. My message to the people is that they should stay home, quarantine yourself, that’s the best solution,” he said.