As the Muslim faithful celebrated the Eid-el Kabir on Sunday, the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, feasted with wounded-in-action soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

The assorted delicacies and drinks were doled out to the soldiers as part of the Sallah merriments.

At the event, Mr Lagbaja said Eid-el Kabir was a day to celebrate and share with the needy.

Mr Lagbaja said the Eid-el Kabir gesture was to celebrate with the soldiers, especially when they could not be with their families.

He said the Nigerian Army, the defence minister, and the chief of defence staff have their interests at heart and would do anything humanly possible to help them out of their present predicaments.

Mr Lagbaja wished the soldiers a quick recovery and reassured them of his resolve for their welfare.

One of the wounded soldiers, Garba Bono, thanked the army chief for the gesture.

“The COAS has been there for us and still with us, this alone is a cause to be happy. The hospital also is doing its best for us. I never thought I could walk again in my life when I was brought to the hospital. Now I can walk. I thank God and the hospital for caring for us,” he said.

Solomon Olaniyi thanked Mr Lagbaja for being conscious of the wounded soldiers’ existence.

“We are happy and still have the assurance that the Army will never neglect us. We are grateful for COAS remembering us, this gives us joy that the Army is with us and we still belong to society,” he said.

The acting chief medical director of the hospital, Stephen Onuchukwu, said the soldiers were faring well.

He said it was fortunate for them to have such an army chief, adding that sound personnel administration was among his pillars of philosophy, along with winning the battle at the front line.

Mr Onuchukwu explained that the necessary leadership and resources to enable wounded soldiers to get the best care were in place.

(NAN)