Nigeria on high alert as FG moves to block Ebola entry

The Federal Government has announced fresh measures to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against the Ebola Virus Disease despite no confirmed case in the country.

 

The development was disclosed in a statement posted on the official page of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

 

According to the statement, the minister joined other government officials and emergency response stakeholders at a high-level preparedness meeting held in Lagos on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

 

The meeting, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, brought together the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, security agencies and health authorities to assess Nigeria’s readiness and reinforce preventive measures against Ebola.

 

The statement noted that the Ministry of Interior is focusing on tighter border control and enhanced screening procedures at airports, seaports and land borders to prevent any possible outbreak in the country.

 

“While there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria, we are not leaving anything to chance,” the statement read.

 

Tunji-Ojo added that the government was collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring and surveillance across all entry points into the country.

 

The latest move comes amid heightened regional concern following recent Ebola cases reported in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had earlier activated nationwide surveillance and warned Nigerians against relying on unverified remedies such as bitter kola, salt water and herbs for Ebola prevention or treatment.