Not fewer than 946 residents of Imo State have benefitted from free medical surgeries organised by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of its civil-military relations initiatives.
According to NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement on Thursday, the surgeries included 63 thyroidectomies, 118 gynaecological procedures, 434 general surgeries, and 331 eye surgeries.
The outreach also covered 9,054 general medical cases and 2,177 eye consultations, with over 1,300 eyeglasses, walking aids, and crutches distributed to persons with disabilities to restore hope and mobility.
“To further deepen its impact, the programme also conducted health education sessions on preventive care, hygiene, and maternal health, ensuring long-term community benefits beyond immediate medical support,” Ejodame noted.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, described the initiative as a critical component of the NAF’s Civil-Military Cooperation strategy.
“Beyond our core mandate of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, the Nigerian Air Force is committed to alleviating the suffering of our people, particularly in remote communities. This outreach is a testament to our philosophy of putting people first, while bridging the gap between the military and civilian population,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, stressed that the effort reflects the CAS’s vision of leveraging civil-military cooperation for national development.
“Every cataract restored, every hernia repaired, every life touched here demonstrates that the Nigerian Air Force is more than a fighting force — it is a compassionate partner in nation-building,” Daramola said.
The Project Coordinator, Air Vice Marshal Uche Nwagwu, commended the synergy between the NAF and local stakeholders that enabled the seamless delivery of services.
“The smiles we see today are our greatest reward, and we are committed to expanding the reach of future interventions,” he added.
The outreach has been widely praised as a demonstration of the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to both security and humanitarian service delivery.
