The Armed Forces on Friday assured the public of its commitment to the presidential directives on COVID-19 and announced steps being taken to reinforce the measures already on ground towards halting the virus from further spreading.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the update of the activities of the armed forces against the disease, the Coordinator, Defence Media Relations, Major General John Enenche, said that an additional isolation and treatment centre, located at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Navy Town, Ojo in Lagos, has been provided, thus bringing the number to 18 centres.
According to him, ” equally, the training of 80 medical personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to manage COVID-19 cases has since commenced
“They are being trained in batches and would soon be deployed to the various units they would serve while the recalling of retired Armed Forces medical personnel is in progress.”
He also disclosed that a strategic level preparation by the armed forces in support of COVID-19 effort by the Federal Government of Nigeria was in progress.
According to him, “currently, Nigerian Air Force is operating at full capacity, its Liquefied Oxygen (LOX) Plant at the 103 Strike Group (103 STG) at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Yola, Adamawa State
“The plant is on 24 hours operation to ensure uninterrupted production of pure Liquefied Oxygen. The Liquefied Oxygen is being gasified and will be stored in cylinders for immediate supply to isolation centres and designated hospitals as will be directed
He equally reiterated the Defence Headquarters earlier position that the viral videos trending online showing men in uniform were not genuine and urged the general public to disregard these videos and consider it as actions of mischief makers who intended to tarnish the good image, integrity and sterling achievements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.