The Nigerian Army on Thursday provided free medical services to the people of Eika-Ohizenyi communities in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi.
The Nigerian Army provided the free medical services as part of its Civil-Military Cooperation activities.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said the medical outreach was carefully planned to cater for the identified common health challenges of the indigenes in the communities.
He said this would enhance the existing cordial relationship and boost the support the Nigerian Army had enjoyed from the people.
The COAS, who was represented by the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said the free medical outreach was in continuation of exercise Enduring Peace II, recently inaugurated by the Nigerian Army.
The COAS said it was in line with his vision of a professional Nigerian Army, ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.
Yahaya explained that in pursuance of his vision, he had ensured that the Nigerian Army formations and units paid adequate attention to the non-kinetic aspect of the military operations.
“Let it foster the desired peace, progress and prosperity in these communities and the entire Kogi,“ h said.
The COAS assured the people that the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other sister security agencies, was working assiduously to rid the country of criminal activities and all forms of insecurity.
He thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for his support in making the apparatus of the Kogi State Government available for military operations.
In his remarks, Bello commended the COAS for the medical outreach and for ensuring adequate security in the state.
Bello, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, advised the people to be well informed and to use the opportunity to give credible information to the security agencies to rid the state of criminal elements.
The Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Mr Abdulraheem Ohiare, praised the COAS for the gesture and for restoring peace to the area.
According to Ohiare, the area had been a den of criminals, noting that Eika Police Station was burnt down twice and many people killed.
“We thank the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for restoring peace to our communities,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries of the outreach, Mrs Sabiat Abdulkadiri, Mrs Hajara Salihu and Hajia Habibat Sadiq, all praised the COAS for the free medical treatment and free drugs.