NAF boss, Air Marshal SB
Abubakar
NAF boss, Air Marshal SB
Abubakar
NAF Provides Medical as Bandits Release 200 Captives in
Zamfara State
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced a 3-day medical
outreach in Kanoma Community in Maru Local Government Area (LGA) of
Zamfara State. The medical intervention, which began today, 30 July
2019, is designed to bring succour to villagers who were displaced
by the activities of armed bandits prior to the commencement of the
ongoing dialogue between the Zamfara State Government and the
bandits. The humanitarian initiative is in furtherance of the
directive by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique
Abubakar, for the NAF Medical Services Branch to provide immediate
medical assistance to residents of Kanoma and adjoining communities
in Maru LGA.
While flagging off the medical outreach, the Representative of
the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, the Secretary to the State
Government, Bala Bello Moru, was full of appreciation to the NAF
for the kind gesture in assuaging the plight of the people. He
stated that the Zamfara State Government was happy with the
initiative. The Governor noted that, as part of the ongoing
negotiation with the armed bandits, more than 200 persons in the
hands of the bandits had been released while efforts were ongoing
to secure the release of the remaining captives.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the leader of the NAF
Medical Team and Director of Public Health and Humanitarian
Services, Headquarters NAF, Group Captain Ali Tanko, explained that
the Team would remain in the area to provide medical services to
about 3,000 patients, while those requiring basic surgeries would
be operated upon. According to him, the medical outreach would also
provide free medical consultations, laboratory tests, free drugs,
as well as insecticide-treated mosquito nets to pregnant women,
visual acuity checks, de-worming of children and distribution of
prescription eye glasses to about 1,000 persons from the benefiting
communities.
The first day of the medical outreach witnessed a large turnout
of villagers who were treated for different medical conditions. The
beneficiaries, who were visibly elated by the gesture, expressed
appreciation to the NAF for the services provided by the Medical
Team. Also present at the flag-off ceremony were the Permanent
Secretary Zamfara State Ministry of Health, Commander 207 NAF Quick
Response Group (207 QRG) Gusau, Chairman of Maru LGA and Village
Head of Kanoma, amongst others. It would be recalled that, the
Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Doctor Bello Matawale,
recently visited the CAS to commend him for the role played by the
NAF in helping to force the armed bandits terrorizing innocent
people to the negotiating table. During the visit, the Governor had
also requested for more assistance in the area of provision of
healthcare services to help alleviate the shortfall in amenities
caused by many months of banditry.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information