DEFENCE
NAF kick-Starts A 3- Days Outreach In Zamfara State

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
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.
A statement by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information said 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, Dr 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.
DEFENCE
Zulum Offers N5m Each to Families of 8 Slained CJTF Members

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N5 million each to the families of eight members of Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF) who recently died in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.
Zulum who made this known on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarship to their children.
The Civilian CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.
” I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.
” Furthermore, the Borno Government will provide full educational scholarship to all children of the deceased CJTF members.
” For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.
The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people
Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.
He prayed for the repose of their souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.
The CJTF operatives died on Tuesday after they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.
DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.
She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.
m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.
The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.
The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.
According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN)