The two pilots of Caverton Helicopters held in Port Harcourt will be released soon and will not be prosecuted or convicted.
Minister of Aviation and a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Alhaji Hadi Sirika stated this on Friday at the Presidential Task-force on COVID-19 in Abuja.
The minister maintained that they have not committed any offence in line with civil aviation procedure saying the Police that arrested the pilots acted ignorantly.
He maintained that the pilots were carrying out a national assignment.
Governor Nyesom Wike had ordered the arrest of the pilots, saying they breached the coronavirus lockdown rules of the state.
During the briefing, the secretary to the government of the federation and Chairman Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha appealed to Nigerians to continue to comply fully and willingly with all the advisories and orders given in this regard.
Mr Mustapha underscores the deadliness of the coronavirus and urged Nigerians to ensure social distancing, personal hygiene and stay safe.
He said the Federal Government received 16 tonnes of assorted equipment and materials including facemasks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) donated by the China firm, CCECC.
The SGF confirmed that the Team of experts from China also arrived with the equipment to render assistance.
Mr Mustapha explained that Chinese medical professionals are purely advisory and for capacity building especially on the protection of our frontline staff, utilization and maintenance of the equipment that they have brought.
The National Coordinator and member of the Taskforce, Dr Sani Aliyu explained that financial institutions and specified markets were excepted due to their importance to the economy.
Dr Aliyu said the task force was working with state governors and civil societies to reach the communities.
He noted that the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and social development and the National Emergency Management Agency to monitor the palliatives to ensuring they get to the targeted vulnerable.