CORONAVIRUS, LASSA FEVER: IMMIGRATION TASKS MEN ON SAFETY MEASURES

Officers and men of the Nigerian Immigration Service have been cautioned to be mindfull of the way they interact with people, especially, those coming into the country through the land borders, so as not to expose themselves to prevalent health hazards.

The Ogun State Comptroller of the NIgerian Immigration Service, Mrs. Doris Braimah gave the charge at a sensitisation visit to Officers and Men at the Idi-Iroko border post in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

She said the visit was a directive from the Comptroller General of the Service, Mr. Muhammad Babandele, to State Comptrollers to create awareness on dangers inherent in the current health challenges confronting the world in general and Nigeria in particular.

"Our Comptroller General, as a result of outbreak of Coronavirus around the world and Lassa fever in NIgeria, has directed all comptrollers on the country to sensitise all their officers and men especially those at the border posts to be alert and concerned about their health.

"I urge you to maintain high standards and integrity, discipline as well as conduct yourselves in an acceptable manner. Try as much a possible to minimise body contact with people coming to Nigeria as those affected by the diseases may decide to come through the land borders, as they know that attention will be focused on our airports", she warned.

Mrs. Braimah who distributed safety kits to the officers and men, said as major players in the Federal government economic agenda, it was imperative they be in good health by not loosing their guard or being careless about their health, as the Service high command places high premium and would continue to take their health issues as priority.

The Immigration boss who also visited the Ogun State Area Comptroller of the NIgeria Customs Service and his officers at the Idi-Iroko border post, stressed the need for security agents to be proactive and be vigilant in carring out their duties as "smart patients", may use the border posts to enter the country, thereby causing health havoc in the land.

"We need to be vigilant and proactive. Be suspicious of everyone, as some smart patients may exploit the border posts to come into country and of course, you know the consequences. Carelessness can be dangerous", she stated.

Responding, the Ogun Area Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Micheal Agbara, said as Federal agencies with different roles, working for the good of the nation it was important they work as a team.

Comptroller Agbara said Ogun State with more than 200 illegal routes need the support and cooperation of all law enforcement agencies to adequately cover the State, assuring the Immigration boss of his agency support at all times for efficient and effective service delivery.