Fct officials shut down wedding over violation of public gathering ban

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FCT Officials Shut Down Wedding Over Violation of Public Gathering Ban

Abuja, Nigeria - Officials of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have shut down a wedding ceremony in the nation's capital over alleged violation of the public gathering ban imposed by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The wedding, which was scheduled to hold at a popular event center in the city, was attended by hundreds of guests, including friends and family members of the couple. However, officials from the FCT Administration, accompanied by security personnel, stormed the venue and ordered the event to be shut down.

According to eyewitnesses, the officials arrived at the venue around 2 pm, just as the ceremony was about to begin. They were said to have been tipped off about the gathering by concerned citizens who had noticed the large number of people converging on the event center.

The officials, who were armed with a court order, reportedly told the wedding organizers and guests that the gathering was in violation of the FCT's public gathering ban, which was put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The ban, which was imposed by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, prohibits gatherings of more than 20 people in public places, including event centers, churches, and mosques.

The wedding organizers were said to have been given a deadline to disperse the guests and clear the venue, but they refused to comply, leading to the shutdown of the event.

The FCT Administration has been cracking down on violators of the public gathering ban, and several events have been shut down in recent weeks for violating the rules.

The shutdown of the wedding has been met with widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians expressing disappointment and frustration at the turn of events.

"This is too much! Can't we even have a wedding without being harassed by the government?" wrote one user on Twitter.

Others have called on the government to provide alternative solutions for couples who want to get married during the pandemic.

"It's not fair to punish couples who want to get married. The government should provide alternative solutions, like virtual weddings or small gatherings," wrote another user.

The FCT Administration has yet to comment on the incident, but officials have reiterated their commitment to enforcing the public gathering ban to prevent the spread of COVID-19.