#COVID19: Nigerian Army To Enforce Movement Restrictions
The Nigerian army has announced in a memo that it will participate in activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army has announced plans to enforce movement restrictions and other COVID-19 preventive measures sanctioned by the government.
It will collaborate with other agencies including the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Fire Services, and others in curtailing the spread of the virus.
The plan tagged âOp-Second Elevenâ was detailed in a memo sanctioned by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
The memo, signed by the Nigerian Armyâs Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, authorised the closure of schools and training centres and suspension of all events.
The Army reiterated the preparedness of regular troops alongside medical and engineering corps to enforce the restriction of movement, management, and evacuation of the low and risk patients.
HumAngle reports that, thus far, movements have been restricted in Lagos, Abuja, Ekiti, and Niger States, although adherence has been low. Nigeria has also closed its international borders.
The Army has also activated an internal process to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID19) in barracks and other facilities, to prepare troops for deployment to aid civilian authorities combat the pandemic.
The authorities have laid out plans to internally mitigate against the spread of COVID-19. These include temperature checks at entrance gates, provision of sanitisers, reduction in personnel movement, and adoption of WhatsApp for formal orders.
It plans to also provide water, essential food and drug supplies, and security for all major food stores and government storage facilities.
The memo reads in full:
âFollowing the rise and continuous spread in cases of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria, the COAS has deemed it necessary for all to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of NA personnel and their families.
âRecall that Reference A circulated under the cover of Reference B highlighted the COASâ Strategic Directive for the Year 2020 (Sb-2020) as do sustain the professionalism and responsiveness of the NA in the discharge of its constitutional rolesâ.
âThe Sb-2020 which is in line with the COASâ vision of âhaving a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional rolesâ had predicted the possibility of the NA actively getting engaged in Op SECOND ELEVEN in the course of the Year.
âWith the continuous spread of the Coronavirus, the Government calling out the NA for Op SECOND ELEVEN can therefore not be ruled out. In view of the foregoing, I am directed to convey that the following measures be instituted by commanders at all levels.
âSuspension of implementation of the NA Forecast of Events 2020 involving large gatherings such as meetings, briefings, and conferences.
âSuspension of all foreign courses, conferences, seminars and other overseas trips by personnel.
âSuspension of all physical debriefings of returnees from foreign courses and official assignments. Such are to be done online.
âClosing of all NA schools and training centres.
âClosing hours for all NA formations and units to be 1600 hrs except lof 6.
âSuspension of assembly date for participants of Army War College Course 4/20.
âPlanning on the lease of excavators, trucks, water tankers and other relevant vehicles to aid Op SECOND ELEVEN in the area of possible mass burial, water, and essential food/drugs supplies, forceful transfer of the sick to hospitals, enforcement of government movement restriction order, etc.
âPlanning to secure all major food stores and government storage facilities for essential goods from looting.
âCoordination with sister Services, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Fire Services and others on enforcing a restriction on movements and other directives by the Government.
âAcquisition of protective gear for medical and other personnel that would be involved in the management of the sick, evacuation and burial of the dead, etc.
âDrastic reduction in movements of personnel within all headquarters to the barest minimum.
âDrastic reduction in the number of visitors and the frequency of visits to all NA establishments.
âCreation of WhatsApp groups by departments, cells, and a group of related workers to pass information and instructions.
âCarrying of files from one office to the other should be replaced with the maximum use of NASIP and NAWANI.
âInitiating and subjecting all personnel to temperature checks at entrance gates.
âMaking available hand sanitizers at strategic locations within the headquarters for easy access and use by personnel.
âPersonnel are to avoid placing their hands on staircase rails.
âPersonnel are to ensure they wash their hands regularly and thoroughly.
âPersonal hygiene at home must be taken seriously.
âAnyone who notices any symptoms associated with the COVID 19 is to immediately report to the nearest military medical post for the check.
âAdditionally, I am to convey the immediate suspension of all leave and passes. All NA personnel are to be on maximum security alert and be ready for deployment as may be required.â
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