Army denies rumour that ‘soldiers force injections on pupils’

NWAFOR POLYCARP 
11 OCT 2017

Panic overshadowed the commencement of the Nigerian Army free medical outreach for civilians in Anambra on Wednesday, following social media reports that soldiers were injecting school children with dangerous substances.

Newsmen learnt that the report, which is apparently false, forced schools to send pupils and students home while parents rushed to schools to pick their children and wards out of fear.

However, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Akabuike, while dismissing the social media reports, explained the pandemonium was caused by fears of monkey pox disease, currently reported in some parts of the country.

“We rushed down immediately we heard the rumour. All the instruments being used by the army for the free medical mission are all life-saving instruments.

“So we want to allay the fear of the public. They should not be afraid; rather we should count ourselves lucky to receive such free treatment.”

Akabuike commended the army for the gesture, assuring that the State Government would provide needed support to make the outreach successful.

In a remark, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abubakar, explained that the exercise was part of Operation Python Dance II in the South-East.

Represented by Brig.-Gen. J.O. Ugwuoke, the GOC said the exercise had taken place in Enugu, Imo, Ebony, Abia and was now in Anambra.

Abubakar advised members of the public to discountenance the rumour that soldiers were forcing injections on pupils from school to school.

He said the one-day medical mission had already benefited over 300 patients, who were being treated for various ailments with drugs provided free.

“The presence of community leaders and State Government representatives signify that there is nothing harmful about the exercise.

“We are here purely on a noble mission of free medical service.

“In addition, we are giving grants and food items to the people, who are in need of them.

“These are rumours and I think as Nigerians, we need to desist from peddling rumours because it will not do us any good,” he said.


Also speaking, Mr Ikenna Ofodeme, the Transition Committee Chairman of  Ekwusigo Local Government Council, commended the army for locating the free mission in the area.

Ofodeme urged members of the populace to turn out for the free medical service in their own interest.

naptu2:
I wanted to make a post a month ago about the events in the south-east, but I haven't had the time. Part of that post is about the similarities between events in the south-east at the moment and events in the north in the past.


And now there's another similar event.

Some politicians in the north used the polio vaccination programmes as a political tool in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They claimed that the vaccines were designed to sterilise northern muslim kids in order to reduce the population of northerners and muslims in Nigeria. They claimed that the plot was orchestrated by the "Christian south and western countries".


And now there's a similar propaganda campaign in the south-east.


In late August the Nigerian military announced that they were going to carry out Operation Python Dance II in the south-east in September and October. They said that the operation was tailored to train soldiers in internal security duties, provide joint training with civilian security services (police, civil defence, etc) and combat kidnapping, violence (like the Ozubulu killing), violent secessionist groups and prepare to support the civilian services in providing security for elections in the south-east.

The military also said that fresh troops that will be trained during this exercise might be integrated into the various states' security apparatus.

One of the components of the exercise that was announced in August was the free medical outreach.

The medical corps of the armed forces have been conducting free medical programmes for decades. In the past this was usually done on Army Day, Navy Day, etc. or when a new military facility was being commissioned.

Since 2010 the military has also conducted medical missions when on internal security duties, as a way of winning "hearts and minds". The medical missions show the people that the military is made up of human beings not monsters and that the soldiers are approachable. These medical missions have been held in the Niger-Delta, the north-east and around the country.

Ipob do not want the military to be seen as humans. They prefer that the military should be seen as monsters (this is one of the reasons why youths attacked a convoy of soldiers with stones and petrol bombs early in September). So you have a propaganda war between the military and Ipob.

Ipob prefers that the medical missions fail and what better way to make them fail than to ensure that nobody shows up for it? The best strategy would be to use the very same programme with which the army wants to win "hearts and minds" to ensure that they lose hearts and minds.

So they started a crazy rumour that the military is forcibly injecting kids with "monkeypox" and used this to create panic and pandemonium.

Nigerians are very emotional people (we often replace reason with emotions) and we love rumours (the crazier the better), so the rumour spread like wildfire.

This reminds me of Amebo in the Village Headmaster. This is the kind of ridiculous and crazy rumour that she often created and it's the same kind of panic that she often caused.

naptu2:
Some people are acting as if military medical missions and hearts and mind programmes are strange, but in reality they are quite common. A US Navy hospital ship carried out a similar free medical mission in Lagos and some other states in Nigeria a few years ago.



The Indian Navy also carried out a free medical mission in Lagos
https://www.google.com.ng/amp/sunnewsonline.com/indian-navy-vessel-visits-nigeria-offers-free-medical-care/amp/

A Chinese hospital ship carried out a free medical mission in Freetown.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201709260191.html



US Navy sailors execute a hearts and mind project at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital and Lions Village Orphanage.
http://www.africom.mil/media-room/article/7195/uss-samuel-b-roberts-departs-lagos-nigeria

And the Nigerian military have carried out medical missions across the country.

Maiduguri in 2015
https://www.google.com.ng/amp/dailypost.ng/2015/08/14/boko-haram-7-div-nigerian-army-offers-free-medical-assistance-to-idps-in-borno/amp/


Ebonyi in September
https://www.nairaland.com/4065566/army-free-medical-outreach-ebonyi


South-East last year.
https://www.nairaland.com/3491664/army-launches-exercise-python-dance

Bauchi in April
http://sunnewsonline.com/nigerian-army-gives-free-medical-outreach-to-bauchi-community-ravaged-by-kidnappers/

Lagos in April
https://www.google.com.ng/amp/punchng.com/navy-gives-free-medical-service-to-lagos-residents/amp/

Borno in 2017
https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/09/14/airforce-commences-another-round-medical-outreach-borno/

Kaduna in 2017
https://www.google.com.ng/amp/sundiatapost.com/2017/04/22/nigeria-army-organises-medical-outreach-in-southern-kaduna/amp/

Rivers State
https://www.medicalworldnigeria.com/2017/07/nigerian-army-offers-free-treatment-to-1-000-persons#.Wd7ZkHTTXqA

Ibadan in 2017
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/city-news/500-residents-benefit-from-nigeria-army-free-medical-services/204922.html

raker300:
Liars!!!
I saw them in one of the schools here.
Their heavy van parked out front.
Blackened faces with red teeth
These guys know how to lie!!!

raker300:
30 million northern Nigerians will die from poverty and disease by 2030-WHO

Yet these fools are in the east..doing what exactly?

OjukwuWarBird:
Focus on road repair and leave medication to us.



Our kids are not lab rats.

OjukwuWarBird:
Focus on road repair and leave medication to us.



Our kids are not lab rats.

Tolexander:
SMH

raker300:
they have failed to tell us what is in those vaccines!

Current laws of Nigerians prohibits medications with unknown information.

It’s a crime to give medications without proper details of such medications.

These criminals will trample on basic human laws then turn around to play the victim card

500 residents benefit from Nigeria Army free medical services

The 2 Division of Nigerian Army said it has treated over  500 residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital of different illness in the past three weeks in a medical outreach. 

‎The aspects covered by the outreach include consultation with doctors, dental services, HIV screening, eye screening, laboratory test for blood and urine, malaria test, nursing services,  blood pressure screening, pharmaceutical services, distribution of male and female condoms

The medical outreach, which was held at a remote community in Ibadan, Olunlosin, in Akinyele South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Oyo State, was a part of the activities that marked 2017 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL). The exercise began in the division last week Friday with a Jumat service.

‎The beneficiary of the medical outreach were drawn from Olunlosin and its surrounding villages such as Alade, Oyo, Olalere, Olokuta and many others. Daily Trust observed that majority of the beneficiaries were elderly men and women.

Apart from free screening, test and treatment,  the scheme  also distributed free drugs and eyeglasses as appropriate to some of the beneficiaries  that were in need of the items.

 The Chief of Staff in the division, Brigadier General Felix Omoigui, led the benefactors on behalf of the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Major General Chukwunedum Abraham. The Garrison Commander for the division, Brigadier General Usman Yusuf, was also in attendance, among others.

OjukwuWarBird:


Make sure your neck does not break while you are shaking your head

MediumStout:
What exactly do these igbo's want? Had this vaccination exercise began in the north and south west, you guys will blame buhari for Marginalization of igbos and favoring other regions. The president is proving to the world now that he is detribalized by sending the army to provide free medical care that none of your governors can provide yet all you can do is scream and raise false alarm instead of thanking buhari. IpoB was proscribed by the federal government and soldiers were ordered to provide health care for you people. It's called carrot and stick approach. The south east has the worst infrastructures in terms of hospital and medical care in the country, hence the need for free medical care. The out break of monkey pox in the SS and SE states is a reason why the army must vaccinate you people by force. You cannot be allowed to infect the whole country with terrible diseases cos you people are the most travelled tribe. This is the same mistake northerners made during GEJ era by rejecting polio vaccine. Their region has the highest cases of polio now. You people should limit your hatred for buhari. Accept him as your president if you want to benefit anything from his government and not be treated like 5%. A word is enough for the wise

OjukwuWarBird:




We want Referendum to decide where we want our future to be built.?


Now clear way for us to go home.

Boko Haram: 7 Div Nigerian Army offers free medical assistance to IDPs in Borno

 Ali Adoyi

2 years ago

The General Officer Commanding 7 Division – Nigerian Army, Major General Lamidi Adeosun has said that, the move by the military to offer free medical assistance to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, was borne out of the desire to show the people that the soldiers were not only in Borno state or the northeast to battle but also to offer other services to the people.

General Adeosun who was speaking on Thursday in Konduga local government area of Borno state which was recently liberated by the military said, the Army chose to camp a medical team in Konduga in order to encourage the people, particularly for those who are returning to their home to have access to medical.

He said, the Nigerian Air force had concluded a similar outreach in Maiduguri where thousands of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, received medical attention.

“Our choice of Konduga is deliberate in the sense that we want people who hitherto do not have medical care due to the insurgency to have care close to them. Maiduguri also has been chocked up, therefore, the need to take our medical team to places we have liberated in order to help the community recover quickly,” he said.

Also speaking during the visit, the Commander 7 Division, Hospital, Brigadier General Ikechukwu Okeke told newsmen that, so far, they have attended to 750 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Konduga camp and hope to do more as they round up the exercise for Konduga on Friday.

According to him, the IDPs who are drawn from about 13 villages around Konduga and Sambisa areas are mainly suffering from Malaria, Malnutrition, teeth decay, skin diseases, hypertension and other trauma.

“This is not the only place we are hoping to reach out to the people as we are considering extending health support to all areas we have liberated. We have been doing this in Maiduguri and anywhere the military finds itself, one of the services we render to communities around us is majorly in the area of providing health support in order to build civil/military relationship with communities.

“It is very unfortunate that these people had to suffer due to the problem of insurgency, but we are doing everything possible to put smile on their faces once again. We are hoping that what we are doing is just to set the pace for state and local governments to key in and subsequently take over as peace gradually returns to these areas.” General Ikechukwu said.


Speaking to some of the IDPs, Hauwa Sani from Usmanti village told DAILY POST that she arrived at the camp today, Wednesday with her husband and were waiting to be screened in order to have medical care for their children who are suffering from malnutrition.

MediumStout:
What exactly do these igbo's want? Had this vaccination exercise began in the north and south west, you guys will blame buhari for Marginalization of igbos and favoring other regions. The president is proving to the world now that he is detribalized by sending the army to provide free medical care that none of your governors can provide yet all you can do is scream and raise false alarm instead of thanking buhari. IpoB was proscribed by the federal government and soldiers were ordered to provide health care for you people. It's called carrot and stick approach. The south east has the worst infrastructures in terms of hospital and medical care in the country, hence the need for free medical care. The out break of monkey pox in the SS and SE states is a reason why the army must vaccinate you people by force. You cannot be allowed to infect the whole country with terrible diseases cos you people are the most travelled tribe. This is the same mistake northerners made during GEJ era by rejecting polio vaccine. Their region has the highest cases of polio now. You people should limit your hatred for buhari. Accept him as your president if you want to benefit anything from his government and not be treated like 5%. A word is enough for the wise

MediumStout:



Igbos are going nowhere. One Nigeria we shall remain

MediumStout:
What exactly do these igbo's want? Had this vaccination exercise began in the north and south west, you guys will blame buhari for Marginalization of igbos and favoring other regions. The president is proving to the world now that he is detribalized by sending the army to provide free medical care that none of your governors can provide yet all you can do is scream and raise false alarm instead of thanking buhari. IpoB was proscribed by the federal government and soldiers were ordered to provide health care for you people. It's called carrot and stick approach. The south east has the worst infrastructures in terms of hospital and medical care in the country, hence the need for free medical care. The out break of monkey pox in the SS and SE states is a reason why the army must vaccinate you people by force. You cannot be allowed to infect the whole country with terrible diseases cos you people are the most travelled tribe. This is the same mistake northerners made during GEJ era by rejecting polio vaccine. Their region has the highest cases of polio now. You people should limit your hatred for buhari. Accept him as your president if you want to benefit anything from his government and not be treated like 5%. A word is enough for the wise

OjukwuWarBird:



Then Igbos will rule you by 2023 or 2027 and when you say no, the world will rally behind our secession.



Don't forget that your religion forbids infidels ruling you


So in the end, you will choose between going against your religion or letting the Igbos go.

raker300:
Liars!!!

I saw them in one of the schools here.

Their heavy van parked out front.

Blackened faces with red teeth

These guys know how to lie!!!

MediumStout:



Igbos are going nowhere. One Nigeria we shall remain

raker300:
if it’s comes to vaccination with an unknown drug....you start from the east

When it comes to juicy appointments...you exclude the east

When it comes to development...you label them 5%

Hypocritical afo...

MediumStout:



Junaid Muhammad and other sane Nigerians have made it clear that it's impossible for an igbo man to be president. You caused civil war which claimed so many lives and yet you still clamouring for biafra. It's only a foolish people that will entrust power into igbo hands. It will never happen. One Nigeria is what we want insha Allah

raker300:
Buhari has succeeded in building an entire army of future biafran soldiers.


These guys will grow up with the biafran dream

Ishilove:
Watch as IPOB yoots storm this thread to write rubbish.

The one above me and his enthusiastic brother in fuckery are already doing a fine job.

Army gives update on Southeast operation, speaks on Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB

 Wale Odunsi

3 weeks ago

Nigerian Army on Friday gave a detailed update on its Operation Python Dance in the Southeast, war against criminals and onslaught against the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader Nnamdi Kanu.

This is contained in a statement on Friday by Colonel Sagir Musa, Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division.

The Army revealed that troops made arrests and recovered numerous dangerous weapons.

The statement also assured that the operation is not a clampdown on Igbos but a routine one aimed at safeguarding the region.

It reads in full: “Following the commencement of Exercise EGWU EKE II on Friday 15th September 2017 in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, simultaneous activities have started in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Cross River States without hitch. The essence of the exercise is to enhance troops’ preparedness and proficiency in dealing with emerging security challenges peculiar to the South-Eastern Region, such as kidnappings, armed robbery, communal crisis, farmers- herdsmen clashes, cultism, violent agitations and insurgency, amongst others.

One interesting aspect of the exercise is that, it is multi agency in nature and execution, thus enhancing synergy of efforts among the Services, Security and response agencies. Relevant para-military organizations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, Department of State Security Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Nigerian Immigration Service are all synergizing and collaborating in the exercise to ensure attainment of these objectives.

Similarly, there are elaborate humanitarian activities associated with it, hence, the 82 Division Nigerian Army embarked on free medical services. The first was on Tuesday 18 th September 2017 at the Adult Education Mass Literacy Centre, Nkwuagu Primary School Amaagu, Abakaliki Local Government Area (LGA ) of Ebonyi State.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adamu Baba Abubakar and the Chief of Training and Operations Army Headquarters, Major General David Ahmadu and other senior Army Officers, were personally present at the commencement of the free medical outreach.

The turnout was impressive, as over 2,000 people benefited in the areas of dental, optometry, laboratory services and blood pressure measurements. Others were dispensing of eye glasses, de-worming tablets, assorted drugs, mosquito nets and sanitizer to various categories of people.

In the same vein, similar medical outreach will be conducted at Nnarambia community Central Primary School, Ahiara Mbaise in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State on 23rd September 2017 as part of the activities of Exercise EGWU EKE II. The Division has also scheduled similar free medical outreaches in other states covering its area of responsibility during the exercise.

Furthermore, in addition to visiting the Operational Headquarters of Sector 5 of Exercise EGWU EKE II, at 24 Support Engineering Regiment, Abakaliki, the Chief of Army Staff also visited the Step-Up Headquarters of 82 Division at the Nigerian Army Language Institute, Ovim, in Isiuokwuato LGA of Abia State.

So far, the troops have been carrying out routine activities associated with the exercise seamlessly along with other supporting Services and agencies. Some suspected criminals were arrested, farmers-herdsmen as well as communal clashes have been averted. Similarly, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and other criminal elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids and manning of checkpoints as follows:

PATROLS

Following credible intelligence report and some distress calls from Ukpata community in Uzo-Wani LGA of Enugu State of a planned attack on the community by Fulani herdsmen on the 19th September 2017, a patrol team of Sector 3 was deployed in the area from 17th September 2017 to date. Through that we were able to prevent serious clash between the Fulani herdsmen and the community.

Similarly, at about 4.30pm on 17th September 2017, troops of Sector 2 on patrol at Ohaji-Egbema general area, along Obokofia-Agwa, Rombe-Oguta road junction in Imo State, intercepted 2 persons in a vehicle conveying about 15kg of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspects and the substance have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Also troops of Sector 2, Sub Sector 1, at about 12.00am 19th September 2017, while on patrol along Onitsha-Owerri road arrested 3 suspected hoodlums; Chisom Francis, Chukwu Enema and Uchenna Ogataku that barricaded the highway, extorting money and other valuables from hapless motorists resulting in serious traffic jam. The suspects have been handed over to Ogbaku Police Station.

RAIDS

Following a tip off, a criminal hideout was raided at about 12.15am in Obinze community general area on 17th September 2017. Consequently, 17 suspected criminals were apprehended by troops of Sector 4. Items recovered include 3 x locally made pistols, 5 Dane guns and 15 rounds of various calibers of ammunition. Other items recovered were local charms and 7 wraps of substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

Furthermore, at about 1.30am on 17th September 2017, troops of Sector 4 in conjunction with the Nigeria Police raided a criminal den at Ukukwa North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where they arrested 7 suspected criminals. Items recovered are; 4 x locally made pistols, 420 live cartridges, about 50kg of Cannabis and some Charms. The suspects and the items were handed over to the Nigeria Police.

Similarly, based on intelligence, troops of Sector 2, at about 12.00am hours on 18th September 2017, conducted 2 raid operations on suspected cultists’ shrines at Awara and Assa communities of Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State. The raids resulted in the arrest of 10 suspected cult members. They were however, transferred to the Nigeria Police after preliminary investigation.

In addition, at about 2.30am on 19th September 2017, troops of Sector 1, raided a notorious kidnappers’ den at Ohanze community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. The operation led to the release of a kidnap victim, Mr. Monday Benson and the arrest of 3 suspected kidnappers; Arinze Ugiri aged 39 years, from Amouvuro community, Okezie Nwobolo, aged 30 years, from Amouvuro Nteuzor community and Michael Sunday 24 years old, from Okeyan Nteuzor village of Abia State. Suspects have also been handed over to the Nigeria Police after initial questioning.

CHECKMATING VIOLENT ACTIVITIES OF THE BANNED INDIGENIOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA

Despite the initial opposition to Exercise EGWU EKE II by the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra members and their sympathizers and unpatriotic elements, the general area of the South East especially Aba in Abia State is now fully stabilized. The usual violent activities of the outlawed Biafra “National Guards” (manning check points and extorting money from traders and motorists) have now been checkmated. Similarly, the outlawed Biafra terrorists group presence is no longer visible and people go about their normal businesses without fear, let or hindrance.

The 82 Division Nigerian Army wishes to reassure the public that it is poised to maintaining the peace and security in the entire South-Eastern Region. Members of the public are please requested to cooperate with security agencies by remaining law abiding and passing credible information to the nearest security check point or call 193 and the various Sector Commanders’ telephone numbers that were earlier made public.”