By Patrick Obia
As the ban on public place gatherings such as churches, markets, shopping malls, sports arena, banks ecertera, continues to be enforced in Cross River State, report has it that some men of the COVID-19 Task Force Team were on Sunday 12th March, 2020 brutalized by Church members.
According to the Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade on Strategic Communication, Mr. Ekeng Inyang, who took to Facebook to share the incident said the team were beaten and injured with one of them had his head torn open by members of Messiah Deliverance Salvation Ministry, located at number 15 Fenton Street, Calabar South Local Government Area, when the Task Force Team came to disrupt their Sunday morning service.
Mr. Ekeng also disclosed that, one of the victim whose name is not gotten is also a Special Adviser to the Government of Cross River State, is currently hospitalized in unknown hospital in Calabar.
“In enforcing the COVID-19 social distancing policy, members of Messiah Deliverance Salvation Ministry, a church located at number 15 Fenton Street, Calabar South Local Government Area, today, (Sunday) brutalized Taskforce members and left one badly injured.
“The victim who is also a Special Adviser in Cross River State is currently hospitalized as his head was torn open by the Church members who confronted the victim and his team members with violence for attempting to disrupt their Sunday morning service.
“The State Security Adviser – South, Hon. Ani Esin has reportedly assured all concerned that the culprits will be brought to book.”
Meanwhile, when contacted by this reporter to confirm the truity of his post and other details, Mr. Ekeng, refused to answer and referred this reporter to the State Security Adviser (South).
Pressed on, Chief Ani Esin, who confirmed the attack on phone said investigations is onogoing to bring the perpetrators to book disclosing that, Bassey Effiom and Murphy who were the most serious victims are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital for security reasons.
He further disclosed that four phones were missing and cars damaged as a result of stones and blocks used by the Church members with dangerous weapons found in the Church by the Police.
It can be noted that since the COVID-19 Task Force Team began enforcement weeks back, there have been questions about their modus operandi with the public as cases of abuse have been recorded by the Task Force and against them.
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