FCT Appeals To Army For Support To Enforce Ban On Interstate Movement

In order to consolidate on the successes recorded so far in the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the city, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello, has appealed for the support of the Nigerian Army in enforcing the ban on interstate travels in and out of Abuja.

Bello made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja, while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Army Headquarters, which came to present Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the FCT Administration.

According to him, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was at a critical stage and required the support of the army to proceed further.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, quoted his boss as saying “We have now reached a phase in the fight of the pandemic that is very critical, particularly for us in the FCT. But for us to be able to sustain the efforts, we would like to appeal to the Army High Command to continue to support us, with respect to the lockdown enforcements within the Territory itself, especially at the entry and exit points of the Territory.”

The minister explained that it was necessary to enforce the ban on interstate travels to ensure that those who are infected within the territory do not  spread the virus to other states while those infected from outside the FCT do not import it into the territory.

Bello also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for the Personal Protective Equipment donated to the FCT, saying that the PPEs received would go a long way in supporting the frontline medical officers who have been working tirelessly over the last six weeks to fight the pandemic.

“He also acknowledged the tremendous cooperation and support that the FCT Administration has been receiving from the Nigerian Army in the areas of enforcement and security related activities,” the statement reads briefly.

Earlier while presenting the PPEs on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai and the Nigerian Army, the leader of the delegation, Maj. General H.I Bature, Chief of Civil – Army relations, Army Headquarters, Abuja, assured that the Nigerian Army was always willing to support the Administration’s efforts at curbing the threat of COVID-19 in the country.

General Bature further explained that the donations were part of the corporate social responsibility efforts of the Nigerian Army as well as the continuation of the drive towards strengthening the civil/military relationship in the federal capital territory.  

Items donated to the FCTA include personal protective suits, face masks, hand sanitizers, hand gloves and buckets.

The statement noted further that the delegation was jointly received by the Minister of State, FCT, Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa as well as other top officials of the FCT Administration.