Fifteen Imams have been arrested by the police in Kano for allegedly conducting Friday congregational prayers in defiance to the government’s lockdown order imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had ordered the total lockdown of the state for the initial period of seven days, in which all forms of religious gatherings including Friday and Sunday congregational prayers were suspended for Muslims and Christians respectively.
The spokesman of Kano Police command, DSP Haruna who paraded the suspects on Monday, disclosed that they were arrested for leading Juma’at prayer in violation of the government order meant for public safety.
He said the suspects were arrested at Kano Municipal, Garko, Gwale, Karaye and Tarauni local government areas of the state. He said the suspects were apprehended by members of Kano State Hisbah Board who transferred the case to the police for thorough investigation and prosecution.
“The suspects were arrested for defying the lockdown order by leading Friday congregational prayers in their respective localities. You must note that the decision for the lockdown was reached in consultation with the religious leaders in the state but these people, most of whom are not Imams, out of defiance, went ahead to organise and lead the prayer,” he said, adding that the suspects had confessed to their crime and would be charged to court.
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