President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state, Katsina, has lifted the suspension on Muslims’ Friday congregational prayers with immediate effect, Igbere TV reports.
This is despite the federal government preaching social distancing across the country as a way of curtailing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.
The lifting of the suspension was announced in a statement made available to Igbere TV by Secretary to the State Government, Mustapha Inuwa, on Tuesday.
“Following a meeting held today between the Katsina state government, religious leaders, traditional rulers and security agents to review some measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
“The Executive Governor has directed that the suspension of Friday prayers be lifted with immediate effect; however, the prayers will be conducted under some stipulated health and security guidelines.
“The Jumu’at Imams should, however, avoid prolonged sermons in order to discharge their followers within the shortest period.
“People are also strongly advised to maintain social distancing and adhere strictly to all the rules and regulations provided by the health experts in fighting the contagious disease,” he said.
The Katsina state government banned religious gatherings exactly two weeks ago.
An Imam was later arrested for flouting the directive, a development that caused rampaging youth in the state to attack and burn down a police station.
