The Commander, Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, says the medical outreach organised for residents of Birnin Yero community in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State is part of efforts to strengthen civil-military relations and give back to neighbouring communities.

Mr Mutkut stated this on Saturday during the Nigerian Army Medical Outreach held in commemoration of the 2026 Combat Arms Training Week.

He said the outreach was jointly organised by the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps Centre and the Corps of Armour as part of activities lined up for the training week.

According to him, Birnin Yero shares close proximity with the Jaji Military Cantonment, making peaceful coexistence and mutual support necessary.

“We sincerely thank God for the opportunity to reach out to our immediate neighbours in Birnin Yero. From Birnin Yero to Jaji is not far, and we are connected in many ways.

“Our families come here regularly for one thing or the other, so there is a need for us to also give back to this wonderful community,” he said.

Mr Mutkut explained that the medical outreach was not intended as a permanent solution to all health challenges but rather a gesture of goodwill and neighbourliness.

He added that the programme also demonstrated the strong civil-military cooperation existing between the Nigerian Army and the people of the area.

He said the ailments targeted during the outreach included malaria, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sore throat, eye infections, ear, nose, and throat conditions, as well as refractive eye defects requiring glasses.

The commander added that free investigations such as blood sugar tests, hepatitis B and C screening, and malaria parasite tests were also conducted for residents.

Speaking, the village head of Birnin Yero, Aburajab Usman, commended the Nigerian Army for organising the outreach and for its continued support to the community.

Mr Usman said the Army has remained helpful not only in providing security but also in delivering medical assistance and other humanitarian services to residents.

Also speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Umar Abbas, said the programme had changed the perception of many residents about the Nigerian Army.

According to him, many people previously feared soldiers whenever they saw them, but the outreach had shown that the Army was friendly and close to the people.

Mr Abbas expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that it had strengthened trust and improved relations between the military and civilians in the community.

He added that residents now better understood that soldiers and their families were part of everyday community life through regular social and economic interactions. 

(NAN)