TheNewsGuru

Tag: Akwa Ibom STate

  • BREAKING: Security guard escapes as hoodlums set INEC office ablaze in Akwa Ibom

    BREAKING: Security guard escapes as hoodlums set INEC office ablaze in Akwa Ibom

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Essien Udim Local Government Area has been set ablaze by suspected hoodlums.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday 2nd May 2021.

    Festus Okoye Esq, National Commissioner and Chairman, INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee has confirmed the Incident.

    “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Mike Igini, has reported that our office in Essien Udim Local Government Area has been set ablaze,” Okoye confirmed.

    He further confirmed that items destroyed in the inferno included 345 ballot boxes, 135 voting cubicles, megaphones, water tanks and office furniture.

    “Our security guard on duty escaped unhurt but the destruction to the building and properties therein was extensive. Items destroyed include 345 ballot boxes, 135 voting cubicles, megaphones, water tanks and office furniture.

    “The police, which has also been battling with attacks on its facilities and personnel in the area, is aware of the incident and has commenced investigation,” he stated.

    Recall that on the eve of the 2019 General Election, INEC’s newly constructed prototype LGA office in Ibesikpo Asutan was burnt down while two more offices in Mpat Enin and Eastern Obollo LGAs were bombed.

    “The recent attack on our facility after we have just concluded the inventory of electoral materials nationwide in readiness for the 2023 General Election is worrisome.

    “If unchecked, these attacks may constitute a setback on the Commission’s preparations, including the ongoing conversion of Voting Points to Polling Units, the forthcoming Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR) exercise and the conduct of polls.

    “Nevertheless, the Commission wishes to assure Nigerians that we are making efforts to recover from the incident in Akwa Ibom State as we continue to prepare for all electoral activities,” Okoye stated.

  • Iniobong Umoren: How job-seeking lady was found raped, murdered, buried in shallow grave

    Iniobong Umoren: How job-seeking lady was found raped, murdered, buried in shallow grave

    The unexpected has happened as a job-seeking young lady, Iniobong Umoren who had been declared missing, has been found raped, brutally murdered and buried in a shallow grave in Akwa Ibom State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the deceased was alleged to have on Thursday, April 29, 2021 went for a job interview at an undisclosed location along Airport Road in the outskirts of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

     

    Umoren’s friend that goes by the Twitter handle: @UmohUduak1 first raised the alarm, and initiated the search for her missing friend, with no one ever expecting the unthinkable and the tragedy that has struck.

    The young lady with life and a future has had her life snuffed out of her and cut short by her abductor, one Uduak Frank Akpan, reportedly from Nung Ikot Obio.

    Umoren’s friend narrated how about two hours after leaving home for the supposed job interview, she reportedly made a frantic phone call where she was heard screaming before the call abruptly ended.

    “Her phone line has been switched off ever since,” @UmohUduak1 recapped, and soon after, the social media went viral with her story which saw the Internet being used to unmask her abductor.

    https://twitter.com/UmohUduak1/status/1387794751777386497?s=19

    24 hours later, Nigerians on social media provided evidence, locations, contacts and almost everything needed to unmask her kidnapper with the hope that the intelligence provided will help in finding the missing young lady and bring his abductor to justice.

    The suspect was alleged to have taken the late Miss Umoren to his house where an argument ensued and in the process, he used an object to hit her on the head resulting in her death. He was alleged to have hurriedly buried her in a shallow grave and ran to Oron to hide.

    Following pressure by the Police and Nigerians on social media, Oron became uncomfortable for him and he ran back to Uruan.

    The Chairman of Uruan LGA, Surv. Iniobong Ekpeyong was said to have met the accused cousin and asked him to bring the accused to him.

    When he was taken before the Chairman, he was asked to be truthful about what actually transpired.

    It was there he confessed to his Local Government Chairman that he actually killed and buried her in a shallow grave.

    A shocked Surv Ekpeyong had no choice but to call the DPO of Uruan LGA and handed over the suspect to the Police for further investigation and prosecution.

    However, @UmohUduak1 later revealed that the abductor of Umoren actually raped her before she was brutally murdered.

    “They raped and killed my friend,” she tweeted.

    https://twitter.com/UmohUduak1/status/1388768717849432064?s=19

    https://twitter.com/UmohUduak1/status/1388757799107235842?s=19

    Meanwhile, the police had confirmed that two suspects had been arrested and that investigation was ongoing.

    Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed arresting one Uduak Frank Akpan in connection to the disappearance of the job seeker.

    According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, in a statement released on Sunday, 20-year-old Akpan lured Umoren to his residence under the pretext of offering her a job before he raped, killed and buried the young graduate.

    The statement reads: “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested one Uduak Frank Akpan, 20 years old for kidnapping, raping and murdering one Miss Iniobong Umoren.

    “On 30/04/2021, the Command received a report on the disappearance of the victim.

    “Following available leads, men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Command, led by CSP Inengiye Igosi, consolidated on the initial great progress made by the DPO Uruan, SP Samuel Ezeugo and arrested the perpetrator who confessed to have lured his victim to his house in the guise of giving her a job, but ended up sexually and physically assaulting her which led to her death.

    “To cover his tracks, he dragged and buried her in a shallow grave in his father’s compound.

    “The deceased has been exhumed and deposited at UYTH (University Of Uyo Teaching Hospital) for autopsy.

    “The suspect confessed to have told his Local Government Chairman of his atrocity before escaping to Calabar and was never at anytime handed over to the Police by anyone.

    “Suspect is a confessed serial rapist who has owned up to the raping of other victims. He will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Amienghene Andrew, has called on youths and job seekers to be wary of the activities of scammers and other men of the underworld.

    “While appreciating the efforts of the social media family and other fighters of injustice, he has condoled with the family and friends of the deceased.”

  • Joy as human trafficking victim reunites with family after 20 years

    Joy as human trafficking victim reunites with family after 20 years

    There was joy and excitement in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday as a victim (name withheld) of human trafficking was reunited with her family after 20 years.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the human trafficking victim was reunited with her family by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Offences (NAPTIP).

    The victim was reunited with her mother (name withheld) at the palace of Idu Uruan Village Head in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

    According to NAPTIP, the victim was taken away at the age of six from Idu Uruan to Benin City by a woman who gave her out to another woman.

    Ijeoma Uduak, Commander of NAPTIP, Benin Zone said the two women had been arrested by the agency.

    “Prosecution is ongoing to ensure that justice prevails. Our task here is to fulfil part of our mandate as an agency that is against human trafficking, and one that rescues and reunites victims with their families.

    “This victim was taken away from the classroom at the age of six, she had no contact with her family for several years.

    “Her captor must have used all manner of tricks to deceive the young and innocent mind; today we celebrate breakthrough and freedom,” Uduak said.

    It was learnt that the victim’s mother expressed joy that her daughter returned home after 20 years.

    “Our belief at home was that she is dead, nobody believes that we shall meet her again, we are thankful to God Almighty,” the mother said.

    She also commended the Federal Government and NAPTIP for their commitment to tackling human trafficking.

  • Owerri jailbreak: Police nab 1 escapee in Akwa Ibom

    Owerri jailbreak: Police nab 1 escapee in Akwa Ibom

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has arrested one David Ubong, one of the inmates set free when suspected hoodlums attacked a correctional centre in Owerri.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, in Uyo on Friday, said that Ubong confessed to have escaped from the Owerri correctional centre on April 5.

    Macdon said that the suspect would be returned to Imo, to face his jail term.

    “On April 6, 2021, personnel of Ikot Udota Police Division, Eket, relying on credible intelligence, apprehended one David Victor Ubong ‘m’ of Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area (LGA).

    “Suspect confessed to be one of the inmates who escaped from the Nigerian Correctional Service in the recent jailbreak at Owerri, Imo on April 5, 2021.

    “Until his conviction, the suspect was a resident of Obinze in Owerri, Imo. Suspect will be sent back to face his jail term,’’ Macdon said.

    On the security in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom, Macdon quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Andrew Amiengheme, as saying that successes had been recorded and that a mop up operation was ongoing in the area.

    Amiengheme urged residents of Essien Udim and its environs to remain calm but be security conscious.

    He assured that security agencies would continue to do their best in restoring peace, law and order in the area and state at large.

  • Boundary crisis: NBC renews vigour to ensure peaceful co-existence between Akwa Ibom, Abia

    Boundary crisis: NBC renews vigour to ensure peaceful co-existence between Akwa Ibom, Abia

    In a renewed effort to establish lasting peace and reduce the fears of hostilities amongst border communities, the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in conjunction with the government of Abia and Akwa Ibom states have convened a confidence building conference.

    The conference is part of the strategies adopted by the NBC to promote strong ties amongst the communities dwellers that would give rise to peaceful coexistence between the states.

    Thd DG of the commission, Surv Adamu Adaji while addressing the conference emphasized the need for collaboration between the sister states in the areas of embracing practices and norms that would lead to enduring peace amongst the warring communities.

    Adaji stated that the inter-state boundary disputes between Abia and Akwa Ibom states dates back to several years this he stated caused the Federal Government to promulgate Decree 23 of 1985 in order to adjust the boundary on the recommendations of the ‘Kaloma Ali Boundary Ascertainment Commission.

    Despite the efforts of the Federal Government, he stated that “the differences in claims and counter claims in the boundary alignment and the general perception of the interstate boundary have tended to create antagonism between the people who have blood relationship.

    “The challenges of these conflicts is posing a major concern to the Federal Government, the National Assembly and all well meaning Nigerians”.

    The Director General opined that dealing with these challenges would require the collective resolve and commitment of all the parties involved.

    He further said that the lingering impasse has unfortunately exacerbated over the years resulting in wonton destruction of lives and property due to the delay in the resolution of the boundary.

    He reiterated that the Federal Government was committed and determined in permanently ending the impasse.

    He added that it is hoped that with this conference which is primarily aimed at propping up sincere, pragmatic result oriented ideas, cooperation would be built amongst the boundary settlers.

    “As a government Agency statutorily charged with the responsibility of resolving boundary disputes, we at the NBC strongly believe in the indivisibility of kiths and kind”. The Commission’s efforts over the years had been to reestablish the boundary in accordance with available documents,” he said.

    He therefore appealed for calm and the support of the affected communities and allow peace for the resumption of the scheduled activities urging that they should be guided as a people with common destiny to live together in unity and love.

    The Abia/Akwa Ibom interstate boundary is one of the volatile boundaries in the country and this has posed a high risk of threat to peace in the area.

    There have been recent reports of conflicts involving the people of Ikot Udo in Ika local government area of Akwa Ibom state and Akrika Obu in Ikea local area of Abia state.

    Also, indigenes of Nkari in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state have been at logger head with the people of Usaka Ukwu in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia state.

    Participants at the event include the Deputy Governor of Abia state, Hon. Sir Uke Odo Chukwu and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Mr. Moses Ekpo, who are the chairmen of the boundary committee of their respective states.

    Others are states Commissioners, Aides to the Governors and Deputy governors, Local Government Chairmen, Ward Counsellors, religious leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, youths amongst others.

  • ‘I killed him in self-defence’ – Corps member who killed ‘lover’ in Akwa Ibom tells police

    ‘I killed him in self-defence’ – Corps member who killed ‘lover’ in Akwa Ibom tells police

    Princess Paschaline Odume, the serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who stabbed a young man to death in Akwa Ibom State, has said she did it in self-defence.

    The police spokesperson in the State, Odiko Ogbeche-Macdon, who made the confessional statement of Odume known Tuesday, revealed the name of the young man stabbed to death as Japhet Akwaowo.

    Odume told the police in her statement tgat Akwaowo threatened to kill her upon her refusal to oblige his request to remove her clothes so that he could have sex with her.

    “She actually killed the young man identified as Akwaowo Japhet. She said she went to buy bean cake, akara, and saw a man that beckoned to her to come over to him.

    “She said she went to meet him, they got talking and she found herself in his house. She said she waited for him outside and he went inside to bring a knife. He said he was going to stab her and no one would know what happened.

    “She also said Japhet asked her to remove her clothes and she refused. What basically happened was that she overpowered him,” the police spokesperson narrated Odume to have said.

    According to eyewitnesses, the corps member who is a graduate of University of Nsukka, macheted her boyfriend to death on Sunday and was caught while trying to run away.

    A Facebook user who shared the story on social media wrote:

    “She was found this morning around 9.30am trying to jump the fence of a young guy she went for hook-up with.

    “Blood stains were all over her so she was caught and beaten to stupor and also stripped naked. (I won’t be able to post the video on my timeline cos it’s so disgusting).

    “She macheted a young guy to death this morning whom she went out with. She killed the young guy instantly after several cuts on his stomach and face, on trying to jump out from the fence she was caught.

    “Some bike men there said that she is used to sending them ikong Ekpo always ever since she was deployed to Akwa Ibom for her NYSC”.

  • Udom needs to explain to Akwa Ibom people how he spent resources- APC

    Udom needs to explain to Akwa Ibom people how he spent resources- APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom has expressed disappointment over the recent revelation made by the Debt Management Office on the debt owed by Akwa Ibom State.

     

    In a statement signed by the state publicity secretary of the party, Nkereuwem Enyongekere, it questioned how the governor, Udom manages the state’s resources.

    Read the statement below:

    “Every week brings a different piece of sad and depressing news about Akwa Ibom State. If it is not huge unemployment figure, it is high HIV/AIDS prevalence or students’ poor performance in WAEC examinations or mass poverty and deprivations. Our state just keeps trending for the wrong reasons under Gov. Udom Emmanuel. We are the butt of jokes in the Nation. Early this week, the Debt Management Office (DMO) revealed that our government owes the Banks a whopping N239.2 billion, the third highest among the States in Nigeria. Over 80% of it was procured by Gov. Udom Emmanuel.

     

    This revelation simply highlights just how badly the governor has managed our finances since he became our chief accounting officer. Akwa Ibom people deserve explanations on what Gov. Udom Emmanuel has done with all the resources his administration has earned. As a political platform that espouses probity, accountability and transparency, APC calls Mr Emmanuel to address the State immediately and give a full account of how he has spent our money. We hereby urge the elders and the people of the state to demand explanations from Gov. Udom Emmanuel on what he did to the N1.6 trillion that has accrued to the State under his watch.

     

    When the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported last month that our unemployment rate is as high as over 46%, the second highest in the country, the governor flew off the handle, struggling to deny the irrefutable fact. It will be interesting to see how this Denier-in-Chief will try to repudiate this humungous debt figure announced by the DMO. This time around, will he accuse the DMO of being biased or partisan?

     

    Ordinarily, debts are used by governments to finance deficits and fund infrastructural development. Lagos State, the highest debtor (N493.3 billion) is building a metro rail from Badagry to Marina. Rivers State, the second highest debtor (N266.9 billion) is undergoing tremendous infrastructural renaissance. Right now, five flyover bridges are being built simultaneously in Port Harcourt. But there is no such investment in Akwa Ibom State. There is just nothing to show for all that we have earned or borrowed. Gov. Udom Emmanuel has not completed a 10-kilometer stretch of dual carriageway any way in our state. The governor talks glibly about a syringe factory located in his Onna LGA; but who owns it? He talks about Ibom Air. Again, what is the ownership structure, and how much did the state invest in it and much revenue is coming into the State’s coffers from it?

     

    As we have said before, this governor is just out of his depth. He indulges in wastes of resources, reckless spending of money and setting wrong and confusing priorities. We are convinced that there are also many cases of corruption at the highest level of government. In December 2018, Gov. Udom Emmanuel was indicted by the EFCC for money laundering, thus becoming the first and only sitting governor to receive such a badge of shame. Just before the 2019 elections, the State government hurriedly borrowed N3.5 billion from Zenith Bank, ostensibly to install security cameras on Uyo streets. Not a single camera has been installed any where in our State. Not even a pin-hole camera. We have since learned that the money went into private pockets, the same way monies withdrawn to finance the abandoned Ekom Iman Flyover Bridge went. Our resources are frittered away through unscrupulous schemes. These are some of the reasons our State continues to be stuck in economic quagmire, while our people are crushed under a huge debt peonage that will, unfortunately, last through future generations. How sad?

     

    Akwa Ibom State Chapter of APC wishes to note that at the right time, we will support the EFCC and other anti graft agencies to recover all sums stolen from our treasury since May 30, 2015. We shall work with the federal authorities to bring justice to our people for the sufferings and criminal neglect they have suffered under this administration”.

  • NBC moves to resolve Abia-Akwa Ibom boundary crisis

    NBC moves to resolve Abia-Akwa Ibom boundary crisis

    The Director General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Surv. Adamu Adaji has pledged commitment to vigorously pursue and resolve issues of internal boundary between Abia and Akwa Ibom States.

    Surv. Adaji made the pledge on Monday at the Joint Meeting of officials on Abia/Akwa Ibom interstate boundary organised by the NBC in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

    According to a statement by the Head of Information in the Commission, Efe Ovuakporie (Mrs), the meeting was convoked as part of efforts to resuscitate the necessary fieldworks in the Abia/Akwa Ibom boundary.

    Ovuakporie quoted the NBC DG as saying the meeting was also in a bid to restore lasting peace and economic growth to the affected areas in line with the federal government’s policy.

    Speaking at the meeting, the NBC boss noted that all attempts to resolve the issues in the past yielded little or no effect despite the decisions and resolutions reached in the past to quickly define and demarcate the boundaries of the states by the previous governments.

    The Director General maintained that “when agreements on programs are not promptly implemented within a time frame it could portend grave dangers and lead to waste of government scarce resources, time and energy as parties concerned may have to meet again and again”.

    Adaji emphasized that the journey towards the demarcation of Abia/Akwa Ibom interstate boundary started since 2013 and has lingered on till date because of the of lack of will to follow through. This he lamented has stalled fieldwork in the areas and in turn affected the targeted date of completion adding that this has further affected the boundary communities.

    He, therefore, appealed to the different states governments to adequately support the state boundary committees to enable their states to actively participate in the exercise to facilitate the definition and demarcation process.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Abia state Boundary Committee, Rt Hon. Sir Ude Chukwu who spoke on behalf of the two states urged the NBC’s Director General to use his wealth of knowledge to settle all the lingering boundary disputes between Abia state and all its neighbouring states and bring a lasting solution to the affected areas.

    He noted that both states share common traditions but however lamented that the differences of claims by some border communities have tended to create tension between the sister states.

    He therefore called on the affected border communities to embrace peace and allow fieldworks to continue.

    The deputy governor used the occasion to call on the federal government to give adequate support to the NBC to enable it carry out it statutory function whilst pledging the readiness of the two states to support all the efforts of the National Boundary Commission geared towards the quick settlement of all their boundary issues.

    Other participants at the event include the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom state, Moses Ekpo, Surveyor General of the federation, Surv. Taiwo Adeniron who was represented by the deputy director, internal boundary Surv. Duniya Joseph.

  • Unemployment: Akwa Ibom Governor cries foul of NBS rating

    Unemployment: Akwa Ibom Governor cries foul of NBS rating

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has challenged the protocols and parameters used by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to arrive at the conclusion that the State was the second largest in terms of unemployment.

    Emmanuel, in an interactive session with Akwa ibom people in Uyo on Sunday, asked that he should be spared the distraction from NBS as he remains focused in the discharge of quality and excellent services to Akwa Ibom people.

    Recall that the NBS said that Imo state with 48.7 per cent unemployment rate was the highest in the country, followed by Akwa Ibom with the second highest unemployment of 55.2 percent in its recent report on August 14.

    The bureau said that Anambra recorded the lowest rate of unemployment at 13.1 per cent.

    According to the Governor, Akwa Ibom is second in foreign direct investment, noting that every part of the State is a construction site, and he wondered what people would describe as employment.

    “It is the same statistics they reeled out before the 2019 elections; may be NBS had forgotten that the elections are over.

    “Statistics has procedures and approaches. How did they arrive at their sample size. They don’t even know the population of Nigeria.

    “It is questionable to see an Igbo state have the highest level of unemployment. The fastest way to stimulate the economy is investment in industries.

    “Do you know how many workers we have under Ibom Air, both direct and indirect?,” Emmanuel asked.

    The Governor also acknowledged the feedback received from members of the public in the fight against COVID 19, as well as the distribution of palliatives to the people of the state.

    He, however, urged Akwa Ibomites to continue observing all the COVID 19 protocols.

    On the demand by the people for the reopening of schools, the governor said, the Federal Government had the final say on reopening of schools.

    “Once they give the go ahead on that, we will ring the bell and schools will open,’’ the governor said.

    Emmanuel denied plotting a third term in office through a surrogate and vowed never to allow any cultist take over the reins of governance from him in 2023.

    “I am not interested in third term through a surrogate; the only thing you can help to do is to ensure that no cultist is allowed to emerge as Governor of the state.

    “Some Council areas are highly volatile, so if they nominate a cultist, we shall not permit such. Any cultists arrested would not be released,” Emmanuel said.

    He observed that the only way to ensure peace was to eradicate cultism and if you want to ensure peace, look up to God in order to embrace peace.

    “Some cult groups are clashing in some parts of the state and we have tried to make sure we crush them. We will stop at nothing in ensuring we crush cultism in the state.

    “It is not our intention to deploy soldiers to volatile areas and you are forcing us to do so. Please let parents talk to their children, as they stand to gain nothing from cultism.

    “It can’t be that because of one man the whole village would run away. It is time to go the right way. Most armed robbers and kidnappers are cultists and we will crush them,” he said.

    Emmanuel also explained why he is opening up more internal roads in Akwa Ibom, saying that it would allow for ease of transport and movement of goods and services.

    He admitted that the lockdown caused by COVID 19 had affected the completion time of these projects but stated emphatically that the roads would be completed in good time as government and governance was a continuum.

    The Governor maintained that the intervention of his Administration in every sector of the state was wholesale.

    He assured that pensions and gratuities would continue to receive the rapid attention they are presently receiving.

  • BREAKING: Govt seals off Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s church

    BREAKING: Govt seals off Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s church

    The Akwa Ibom State Government on Sunday sealed off the premises of one of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s churches in Uyo, capital of the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Government sealed off the Christ Embassy Church, Nung Akpa Ime branch in Uyo for alleged attack on the State Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Compliance Monitoring Team.

    Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to State Government and Chairman of COVID-19 Management Committee made this known in a statement in Uyo on Sunday.

    Ekuwem said the Church was sealed off for obstructing, attacking and brutalising members of the monitoring team.

    He added that the sealing off of the Church was due to acts of lawlessness and to avoid the risk of community transmission of Coronavirus.

    The secretary to the state government said that the Pastors and members involved in the attack would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    “In response to this act of lawlessness by the Church and in order to avoid the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom State, the Christ Embassy Church building and premises are hereby sealed off with immediate effect until further notice.

    “The suspected Pastors and relevant members of the church will be made to face the wrath of the law,” Ekuwem said.

    It was gathered that when the monitoring team arrived at the Church on Sunday, at about 11a.m., some men prevented the team from gaining access into the Church premises.

    It was also learnt that appeals by the leader of the monitoring team, Mr Enobong Uwah, and other members including the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Ndueso Ekwere, were rebuffed.

    After the ease of lockdown, the Akwa Ibom Government reopened worship centres on June 7, based on the guidelines submitted by CAN.

    Meanwhile, Pastor Chris had during a televised service while faulting the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the government for the gradual reopening of churches, said pastors who are afraid of COVID-19 do not believe in God.

    Pastor Chris alleged that church leaders are responsible for the guidelines placed on churches, stressing that some leaders have insisted that the government should ensure that churches remain closed.

    “We have to pray for our leaders and pastors who are scared of the virus. You can’t believe in Jesus Christ and be afraid of virus. Jesus touched people with leprosy and healed them. But these people who are afraid are pretending to be representing the Christians. It’s a shame. I think the leaders are laughing at them.

    “If you are a Christian and minister of the gospel and you are afraid of the virus, you have no gospel. Your gospel has ended. The moment you start giving such guidelines to people in the church, you’ve repudiated your faith in Christ.

    “You may not know this but the reason many churches are still shut down is not just government but church leaders who insisted that government should not let the churches open, except the churches follow these wicked guidelines.

    “Some of those guidelines like wearing of gloves before laying hands on the sick, suspending holy communion, holy communion that Jesus Christ told us to take, now we are told to suspend them because of a pandemic, this is crazy,” Pastor Chris said.