BREAKING: Lagos Fumigates, Shuts Agege Central Mosque (Moshalasi Alhaja) Over Attack on COVID-19 Taskforce

The Lagos State Government has shut the Agege Central Mosque after some worshippers attacked members of the State COVID-19 Taskforce mandated to monitor and enforce compliance against public gatherings exceeding 25 people.

Executive assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Public Relations and New Media, Olusegun Fafore, confirmed this report this afternoon.

Before sealing the mosque, popularly referred to as ‘Moshalasi Alhaja’ officials of the task force fumigated the entire mosque and the environs.

The DAILYBELLS that on Tuesday, group of worshippers had attacked the officials of the Lagos State COVID-19 Taskforce, mandated by the State Government to monitor and enforce compliance against public gatherings exceeding 25 people at the Agege Central Mosque.

Speaking on the incident, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and leader of the Taskforce, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe condemned the attack and described it as barbaric and uncalled for, saying “our people are out to protect the residents of the State and yet were attacked for doing their jobs”.

She stated that the State Government would not hesitate to sanction violators to serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was obvious the gathering did not comply with the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on public gathering and social distancing.

According to her, Taskforce team COVID-19, comprising of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Lagos Safety Commission and the Rapid Response Squad, saw the Muslim faithful observing their evening prayer (Solatul Eshai) in a large congregation, contrary to the directive on total lockdown to stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State.

“However, a drama ensued when some of the Muslim youths sighted the team and became aggressive, unruly and started to attack the team. Others in the mosque, numbering about 300 rushed out chanting ALLAHU AKBAR and joined them in the attack by throwing stones at the vehicles. All entreaties to talk to the Imam failed as the youth were persistent. But the Police escort rose to the occasion by curbing further attacks and ensuring the safety of the team”, she disclosed.