The Nigerian Army has ordered its tailors to produce face masks for soldiers and their families, in a move to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, said in a statement that hand sanitisers, wash-hand basins and soaps had already been provided at army barracks across the country, while people entering and and leaving the barracks are also screened.

He said,

The medical personnel in Bonny Cantonment, Lagos Island, Lagos State have 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.

At the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment housing 2 Division, Nigerian Army, there is noticeable increase in medical checks at the two major gates leading into the Cantonment. Thermometers and hand sanitisers with the requisite medical staff are in position and available to soldiers, their families and necessary visitors into the Cantonment.

A major effort by the army is the directive given to the Tailoring arm of the service to start the production of the required masks for officers, soldiers and their families. This is due to the scarcity of the product in the open market.

In addition to implementing or enforcing the directives of the Chief of Army Staff, all army commanders have initiated measures to prevent the spread of the deadly threat into their respective barracks and other locations.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.