Nation
600 Residents Get Free Medical Care In Kaduna
The Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigerian Red Cross Society has offered free medical services to no fewer than 600 residents of Afaka and Unguwar Sarki community in Kaduna, as part of its humanitarian services.
The State Communication Coordinator, Peter Ochu told The Tide source on Wednesday in Kaduna that the free medical outreach was part of activities to mark the World Red Cross Day.
Ochu said the theme ‘Unstoppable’ showcases the different challenges volunteers face in carrying out humanitarian interventions.
“ Aside celebrating the Red Cross Day, we are embarking on regular free medical outreach in the state.
“We want to help create a society that is free of diseases as well as to re-orientate the public on the sacredness and sanctity of human life as a divine gift and a fundamental human right that must be protected and preserved,” Ochu said.
He said that the celebration is a week long programme and other activities will be carried out to mark the 2021 celebration.
“ We have series of events to carry out during the celebration.
“ We started with sanitation in different hospitals, today we have free medical outreach, we will carry out first aid quiz competition in various division within the state.
“We also have a novelty match and breaking of fast with our Muslim brothers,” the communication officer said.
Services rendered at the medical outreach included free Malaria testing and treatment, Hepatitis B and C testing, Tuberculosis screening and treatment and blood Sugar.
He called on spirited individuals to support the Red Cross for effective execution of its services.
Some of the beneficiaries thanked the Society for the gesture, saying it was of great help to them.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mariya Abubakar said: “I have benefited a lot, they did test on me, gave me drugs and advised me on how to take care of my health.”
The Chairman of the Osun State Park Management System (OSTMS), Comrade Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, was reportedly shot by officers of the state police command in the late hours of Monday.
The union, in a statement issued by its Secretary, Mikaela Popoola, in Osogbo, confirmed that its chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody.
According to him, the shooting of the chairman occurred while in police custody, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting call for a thorough investigation.
The union scribe, who reiterated that the chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody, called on members of OSTMS not to take the law into their own hands.
He stressed, “We must maintain peace across the parks while we take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.”
While confirming the shooting, a top Police officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “Alowonle was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of one Oyewale in 2022 and the assault of some residents on Monday night.
“He was shot while attempting to escape and has been taken to a hospital for treatment.”
According to him, Alowonle was maimed by the police gunshot, and a Hummer bus with registration number AWK 480YD, an unregistered Nissan Almera, and a Toyota Sienna with registration number GNN 595 XD were also recovered from him.
“During the arrest, a Barrett pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and one expended empty shell were recovered from Alowonle’s private unregistered Toyota Highlander jeep,” the officer said.
“Alowonle and his boys conveyed themselves in a Previn bus with registration number RBC 275XK, but a distress call to the police led to his arrest. He was rearrested at Susi area of Oke-Baale, Osogbo, alongside eight others before being taken to the state police command.”
Meanwhile, all possible efforts made to reach the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, for comment on the incident proved abortive as calls put to her mobile phone were not answered.
The Rivers State Police Command has announced that its operatives neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cultist, identified as Gbarani Bume, in the Luawii Community of Khana Local Government Area (LGA).
Bume, also known as Pelele, was a member of the infamous Iceland cult group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA along with his gang.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko said that Pelele and his gang attempted to kidnap a site engineer working in Luawii when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped in. Upon sighting the police, the suspects opened fire, but Pelele was fatally wounded after a fierce exchange of gunfire and later died.
The statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime, neutralising a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, a.k.a. Pelele, a native of Bere Community in Khana LGA.
“He was a member of the Iceland Cult Group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA.
“On the 15th of November 2024, operatives from the Bori Division, acting on a tip-off, were mobilised to Luawii Community where Pelele and his gang were attempting to kidnap a site engineer.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a fierce crossfire, during which Pelele was fatally wounded. His accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 10 rounds of live ammunition.”
She added, “An investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.”
The state police spokesperson stated that this operation underscores the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety in the state.
