…….as protective equipment provided for medics.
By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters has announced the establishment of two (2) military reference laboratories for the testing of corona virus patients in a bid to assist the FG to contain the ravaging novel Covid-19 pandemic plaguing the global community, Nigeria inclusive.
Just as the military had also provided personal protective equipments to protect the medical personnel from contacting the virus while managing and treating the patients infected with corona virus
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMO),Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. John Enenche disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Abuja.
Gen. Enenche also hinted the areas those laboratories were situated to include, the Defence Reference Laboratory in Abuja as well as Nigerian Air Force Reference Laboratory in Lagos.
The Coordinator also pointed out that, all the six geopolitical zones were covered by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, including Army, Navy and Air Force formations by the 21 designated isolation centres.
He however said, the 80 trained medical personnel are already deployed at the military formations for engagement.
All these according to him was the military’s practical efforts along with other MDAs of the FGN to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
He therefore restated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to providing all required assistance to civil authorities at all levels.
MDO’s Coordinator further encouraged the general public to abide by the rules of the Covid-19 lockdown regime installed by the FG saying they were apparently within the circumference of curtailing the spread of the virus, assuaging its impact on the Nigerian economy and cushioning the effects on the populace.
“The high command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby encourages the general public to strive to abide by the guidelines provided by the government on preventive measures against contracting the corona virus.
Key among which is the instruction on lockdown given by the Federal and various State Governments.
“This will ensure that appropriate actions are taken by the relevant agencies to indentify and manage cases promptly in order to prevent community transmission”.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Military reiterates that, the essence of this measure is for the good of all Nigerians and other nationals residing in the country. Thus, all are kindly requested to co-operate with the security agencies to ensure that the lockdown is effective”. He stressed.
He therefore reiterated the commitment of the military in providing the ‘minimum necessary force’ to complement the efforts of civil security agencies like the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, to checkmate the nefarious activities of criminals wanting to take undue advantage of the lockdown against the citizenry.
He also used the opportunity to warn the criminally minded individuals to stay clear from any form of criminality as failure to do so will attract the wrath of the law.
Gen. Enenche further called on the general public never to hesitate in providing a useful information to security authorities about the criminal activities in their vicinities to enable them nip their plans in the bud.
He further urged the citizens never to be panic due to the heavy security presence in their area as the military is only out to forestall law and order as the military is always ready in maintaining the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the populace.
