FG considers tighter border checks as Ebola fears rise
The Federal Government is weighing stricter measures at Nigeria’s borders, including possible flight restrictions and isolation for travellers showing Ebola symptoms, following renewed outbreaks in parts of Africa.
The move was discussed at an emergency meeting in Victoria Island, Lagos, led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as health authorities reviewed the country’s preparedness against the virus.
Speaking after the meeting, Gbajabiamila said the government was determined to prevent another health crisis in Nigeria.
Also read: FG Demands Probe Over Nigerians’ Deaths in South Africa
“We have a health scare, which is Ebola, and we all know what happened the last time. The cases are getting worse internationally and worldwide, and we don’t want to leave anything to chance,” he said.
He said officials considered several measures, including restricting flights from countries affected by the outbreak and isolating travellers who show symptoms linked to the disease.
“There were three, four areas we looked at. We looked at the issue of restricting flights from countries of interest. We looked at the possibility of isolating passengers who may exhibit symptoms of Ebola,” Gbajabiamila added.
According to him, authorities are also considering the use of cargo terminals and designated facilities for handling passengers arriving from high risk countries.
The meeting was attended by the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo; Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi; and other senior officials.
Gbajabiamila said President Bola Tinubu had been fully briefed on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, assuring Nigerians that the government would take necessary steps to protect the country.
Also read: FG Demands Probe Over Nigerians’ Deaths in South Africa
Tunji Ojo said surveillance would be strengthened at all entry points, with the Nigeria Immigration Service working closely with the NCDC to improve early detection and emergency response.
NCDC Director General, Dr Idris, warned that Ebola remains one of the deadliest viral diseases in the world and stressed the need for stronger public health measures.
“This particular virus has no treatment, no vaccines. So it’s the public health measures that need to be done: isolation, quick detection, public enlightenment, infection prevention and control,” he said.
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He added that preparedness plans had already been activated across the 36 states, while health advisories were being intensified for healthcare workers and the public.
The latest alert follows reports by the World Health Organisation confirming 10 Ebola deaths and 223 suspected deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the outbreak was declared in mid May. More than 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases have also been linked to the outbreak.
