The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is offering three-day free medical services for five communities displaced by bandits in Igabi and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
Group Captain Ahmad Sa’idu, Commander 461 Airforce hospital Kaduna, told newsmen shortly after flagging off the program in Kerawa village that it was organised following the directive of the Chief of Air Staff.
According to Sa’idu, medical outreach is organised to bring succour to the villagers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the villagers are being offered general consultation, screening for diabetes, blood pressure, cataract, dental and eye screening and issuance of prescription eyeglasses.
The airforce is also giving treated mosquito nets to pregnant women in the five villages.
The commander stressed that the force considered the distance of the communities from urban areas and a general lack of medical facilities in the area.
Sa’idu added that the outreach would enable the service to create rapport with the communities which would aid in intelligence gathering.
In a remark, ward head of Kerawa, Mallam Ibrahim Adamu said he was grateful to the airforce for the gesture and urged the communities to turn out en masse to access the free medical services.
NAN recalled that bandits attacked Kerawa and four other villages, resulting in the loss of 51 lives and properties, as well as displacement of 400 residents.