Abia govt lifts embargo on religious activities at Apostolic Christian Church Mission

The Abia State government has finally lifted the embargo it placed on all religious activities at the Apostolic Christian Church Mission Inc. at 34 Omuma road in Aba.

The lifting of the embargo is coming about 3 months after the State government ordered the Abia State Commissioner of Police and the Commander, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army to seal up the Church building and not allow any religious activity in and within the building.

The government had cited leadership crises rocking the church as the reasons for the closing of the church, explaining that the action was taken to maintain law and order.

But a latest statement made available to Journalists on Sunday, which journalists cited, showed the Okezie Ikpeazu government has directed the immediate resumption of all religious activities in the church.

The statement which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chris Ezem, urged all parties in the church to work together in love, peace, unity and decorum.

The reopening of the Apostolic Christian Church Mission Inc has elicited joy among some members of the church who spoke to journalists.

The members, who spoke under anonymity said the closure of their church was the most painful period of their lives.

They thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for heading their appeals by reopening their church, promising to work in harmony.

One delighted member said, “My family and I were like birds without nests. Imagine us staying at home every worship day while people were in church. Some of our members even quit our church for other churches but I and my family waited for a day like this”, he said.

It would be recalled that in January 2023, about 100 priests of the church had staged a protest in Aba, demanding the immediate reopening of the sealed church.