Jane Salihu
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has directed police personnel to observe strict infection prevention measures while discharging their duties following the Federal Government’s confirmation of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Disu also called for an end to the stigmatisation of suspected Ebola patients, their contacts and healthcare workers, stressing that the response to the outbreak must prioritise public safety, accurate information and respect for human dignity.
The directive was contained in a public health advisory issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anthony Iniedu, on Monday, October 26, 2026, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the IGP urged Nigerians to remain calm, maintain personal hygiene and cooperate with public health authorities to prevent further transmission of the disease.
He advised members of the public to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, avoid direct contact with the blood and body fluids of suspected cases, and stay away from potentially contaminated objects.
The police chief also warned against touching or washing the bodies of persons suspected to have died from Ebola, noting the importance of following appropriate public health precautions.
Disu urged anyone who may have been exposed to the virus to contact health authorities promptly for guidance.
He further advised individuals who develop symptoms after possible exposure to avoid physical contact with others and call the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on its toll-free helpline, 6232, for immediate guidance.
The IGP directed police officers to refer suspected cases to qualified health professionals while ensuring that those affected are treated with dignity and without discrimination.
He also called on Nigerians to cooperate with contact-tracing teams, provide accurate information when required and refrain from circulating unverified reports capable of triggering public panic.
The statement urged citizens to rely on information from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC and other authorised public health agencies.
The Nigeria Police Force assured the public of its readiness to support relevant health authorities in protecting lives and maintaining public order throughout the outbreak response.
The police advised Nigerians to remain vigilant and informed, emphasising that preventing the spread of Ebola requires collective responsibility and that stigmatisation could undermine efforts to contain the disease.
