The Nigerian Armed Forces says it has been directed to enforce all restriction on movement as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari at his maiden broadcast on the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
President Buhari on Sunday restricted all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.
John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMO) who made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, solicited the support of the general public by adhering to all the medical and administrative guidelines being provided by government at all levels.
Enenche also disclosed that a senior officer of the Nigerian Armed forces have tested positive to the Coronavirus. He explained that the officer recently returned from a high burden country and is currently at the isolation centre at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.
Speaking further on the level of preparedness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the DMO coordinator said 17 isolation and treatment centres have been activated across the 6 geopolitical zones.
He added that a good number of Armed Forces of Nigerian medical personnel have been earmarked to be trained on the management of COVID 19 cases, which will done in liaison with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“In the same vein, about 48 Disaster Response Units of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are on Notice To Move in conjunction with NEMA. These units will handle operations other than medicals that may arise in the course of this non kinetic military operation”, Enenche said.
The coordinator noted that a committee headed by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations is in place interfacing with all relevant Ministries, departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria managing the COVID 19 Pandemic.
By Godsgift Onyedinefu
