There are clear signs that the Nigerian Army is not resting on its oars, as it is intensifying preventive measures against the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 across the barracks in the country.
Speaking to our correspondent, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, said the Headquarters of Nigerian Army Medical Corps Victoria Island Lagos in compliance with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai had since taken proactive measures against the dreaded virus.
He also confirmed that the medical personnel in Bonny Cantonment had intensified the medical screening of personnel and individuals going into or coming out of the cantonment by checking temperature and making sure individuals wash their hands in order to effectively checkmate the spread of the disease into the barracks’ community.
Musa said wash-hand basins, hand sanitizers and soaps had been positioned at suitable locations at the entrance of the Cantonment to ease or ensure compliance.
He further stated that inhabitants and visitors to Abakpa Cantonment Enugu and 82 Division Headquarters Complex along Abakaliki road were also being screened by medical staff members from the Division’s hospital.
There are also indications that drastic measures have been emplaced to restrict access to mammy market in the barracks in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
Musa also confirmed that at Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment housing 2 Division Nigerian Army, there was noticeable increase in medical checks at the two major gates leading into the Cantonment.
“Thermometers and hand sanitizers with the requisite medical staff from the Division’s hospital are reportedly in position and available to soldiers, their families and necessary visitors into the Cantonment,” he said.
The Army spokesman said the situation was the same in 81 Division Lagos where the medical personnel were strategically positioned at the main gate entrance to the Headquarters’ complex to screen personnel getting into the building.
He revealed that a directive had been given to the Tailoring arm of the service to start the production of the required masks for officers, soldiers and their families due to the scarcity of the product in the open market especially in Ibadan and environs.
Musa said in addition to implementing or enforcing the directives of the Chief of Army Staff, – all Army Commanders had also initiated measures to prevent the spread of the deadly threat into their respective barracks and other locations.
“Measures such as personal hygiene, hand- sanitization, online correspondences and social distancing are strictly being enforced and observed from the army Headquarters down to units and formations levels across the country,” he said.
The Army spokesman also disclosed that a team of medical experts and military police had been mandated and had since been going round the Army Barracks and Cantonments in the country to ensure that the outlined preventive measures were being implemented in line with the desire of the Chief of Army Staff.
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