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Nigerian Army prepares for coronavirus lockdown, mass burials

Published 25/03/2020, 15:35

ABUJA, March 25 (Reuters) - The Nigerian Army is preparing
to forcibly transfer the sick to hospital and enforce curbs on
movement to try to shield the country from coronavirus, and is
leasing equipment for "possible mass burial", according to an
army memo seen by Reuters.
The memo from Army headquarters also outlines plans to
protect government food storage from looters as Africa's most
populous nation braces for the illness to spread further in the
country.
"Following the rise and continuous spread in cases of the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria, the (Chief of Army
Staff) has deemed it necessary for all to take protective
measures to ensure the safety of (Nigerian Army) personnel and
their families," the memo said.
There are currently 46 confirmed cases in Nigeria, and one
death, but the infection has hit the top levels of society,
infecting President Muhammadu Buhari's chief of staff.
With a population of 200 million, 20 million of whom are
packed in the commercial capital of Lagos, many fear the virus
could spread quickly without containment.
The memo said the Army is suspending all leave passes for
all personnel and called for them to be on "maximum security
alert and be ready for deployment."

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