No fewer than 3,000 residents of Ogurude community in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River have benefitted from the free medical outreach by the 13 Brigade of the Nigeria, Calabar.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that residents were on Thursday tested and given free drugs on malaria, blood pressure, hepatitis, typhoid, fever and others, while treated mosquitoes nets were also distributed to them.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, while inaugurating the outreach, said it was in support of the ongoing exercise python dance.
Buratai, who was represented by the Commander of 13 Brigade, Calabar, Brigadier General Ismaila Isa, added that the medical outreach was also meant to strengthen the existing civil-military relationship in the state.
He said that the Nigerian Army decided to carry out the exercise because of the importance of good health to humanity.
Isa said: “I am here as the representative of the COAS with our health team to render this free medical service to you as part of the ongoing exercise python dance.
“The essence of this exercise is to rid off armed robbery, militancy, kidnapping, terrorism and other vices from the society and from our country.
“I am happy that we have not found anything incriminating in this community. We understand that this community used to be in crisis with their neighbours over land disputes.
“But I am happy now that you have all surrendered your arms for peace to reign. You must learn to live in peace amongst yourselves.
“What we are doing today is part of our community service to enhance the existing civil-military relationship. We are here with a full medical team that will render free medical service to you.”
Earlier, Cyprian Okpobang, the traditional ruler of Ogurude community, who lauded the initiative, said the community lacked medical services, good drinking water and primary and secondary schools.
Okpobang said: “We are peace loving community. Since the day the military stepped in and asked us to surrender our arms, we immediately did that. I am happy with this free health service.:
Also, one of the beneficiaries, Happiness Ataba, 72, thanked the Nigerian Army for its magnanimity.
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