The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu has come out to say that he never ordered the closure of churches amid the pandemic.

He recently revealed this in a statement signed by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the state Police Public Relations Officer.

According to him, he only ordered the closure of nightclubs, bars, lounges, and event centres, and not the house of God.

He added that churches are allowed to operate in accordance with the already laid down protocols, while event centres can only work with the permission of the Lagos State Safety Commission.

His words, “The command’s statement was explicit on the enforcement of COVID-19 protocols as clearly stated by the Presidential Taskforce and the Lagos State Government respectively.

“For clarification, the preventive COVID-19 protocols include the use of face mask at public places, maintaining social distancing, closure of night clubs, bars, lounges, event centres; no social party, street carnivals and due enforcement of the Federal Government imposed 12 midnight to 4am curfew.

“No closure of churches was included in the already established and released COVID-19 protocols contrary to mischievous publications.

“The Police Command wishes to state categorically that according to the directive of the Lagos State Government, churches are allowed to operate in accordance with the already laid down protocols, while event centres can operate with the permission of the Lagos State Safety Commission with due consideration to the COVID-19 guidelines in the state.”