Preaching disrespect of Covid-19 barrier measures: Minister Atanga Nji Threatens To Arrest Pastors, Shut Down Churches

Danger looms for Pentecostal churches preaching against the respect of all anti-COVID-19 barrier measures put in place by government and the World Health Organisation, WHO, following the recent communique issued by Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji. 

In a recent communique issued Wednesday 24 March 2021, the Minister has ordered the ten regional governors to shut down any of such churches that calls for disrespect of barrier measures thereby promoting the further spread of the virus. He added that the pastors should be arrested tried in law courts for their acts. 

The MINAT in the communique said he has taken note of the fact that pastors mostly ‘born-again’ with no legal existence preach against instructions given by the Head of State to contain the spread of the virus including the prohibition of their Christians from wearing facemask on the basis that the virus doesn’t but stress on prayers and as their best way to prevent to disease.  

He cited incidents where students attending some of the said churches failed to show up form official examinations because they could not have access to classrooms without putting on their facemasks in respect of the instructions of their pastors as against state instructions.

By Doh Bertrand Nua