The 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin has conducted medical outreach for its host communities as part of activities lined up for the second phase of the Operation Crocodile Smile II.
Captain Mohammed Maidawa, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin on Wednesday.
Maidawa said the exercise was in tandem with the desire of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, for the Nigerian Army to impact positively on its host communities even as it was executing its constitutional roles.
He said the outreach was conducted simultaneously by the Battalions under the Brigade.
He said the 3 Battalion, Warri conducted its medical outreach in Ugbokodo, Warri South Local Government Area.
The spokesman also said that the medical outreach was carried out in Opuama and Oton-Iyasale communities in Warri North and Sapele local governments areas of Delta State by 19 Battalion.
Maidawa said: “Similarly, the 222 Battalion, Ughelli carried out their own medical outreach in Ogbobagbene Community in Burutu Local Government Area in Delta.”
According to him, no fewer than 10,000 persons were targeted to benefit from the exercise.
Some of the services rendered by the medical personnel of the Brigade, he said, included treatment of malaria, typhoid as well as checking of blood pressure and blood sugar.
Maidawa said: “Free consultations, de-worming of children, eye test, physiotherapy , free medical checkup and distribution of free reading glasses and treated mosquito nets and drugs in the selected communities were also carried out.”
He said that the Commander, 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ibrahim Garba, who visited the venues of the outreaches, commended the Commanding officers of the respective Battalions for their efforts.