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Kaduna Confirms Flight Operations After Bandits’ Attack On Airport
The Kaduna State Government, yesterday, announced the resumption of normal flight operations at the Kaduna International Airport after last Saturday’s bandits’ attack.
Over 200 bandits had invaded the Kaduna Airport runway, interrupted flights, and killed a security guard.
The bandits had vowed to disrupt the aircraft operations until they were repelled by the security operatives.
However, in a statement, yesterday, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the airport has resumed operations.
“Troops stationed within and around the airport responded and repelled the attackers.
“The bandits killed a staff of the airport, stationed at the perimeter fence, who raised alarm on sighting them”.
The statement added that Airport operations resumed with scheduled flights departing after the incident.
He said further updates would be communicated to the public, as security forces were conducting operations in the airport general area.
Aruwan said that the state Governor, Nasir El-Rufa’i commended the security forces for their prompt response to the attack, and for repelling the attackers, even as he expressed sadness at the report of the casualty.
He sent condolences to the family of the victim while offering prayers for the repose of his soul.
Detailed had earlier emerged , Saturday, of how over 200 bandits stormed Kaduna International Airport, stopped several aircraft from flying after killing one security personnel of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
An airport staff said, in Kaduna, last Saturday evening that over 200 bandits stormed the airport around 12.00am.
He said they were speaking in Hausa, said, “Hausa ‘Zamu rufe airport ba jirgi da zai tashi’, meaning: We will shut down this airport. No aircraft will fly in and out.”
The source said the bandits alleged that the military took away their cows and as revenge, they stormed the Airport at midnight but were repelled by the military, stationed at the airport.
He said everybody thought, since the military has repelled them, they would never come back.
He added that everybody was surprised as they resurfaced around 1200am.
“In fact, our staff resumed work this morning as usual. They worked around the runway 5:00amtill around 12:00pm.
“Then, shortly after that, some NAMA staff went to check some of their equipment, then, these people (bandits) appeared and started shooting. The NAMA engineers scampered for safety, they could not even go and entered the vehicle that took them to the site. It was in the process that their security man was shot in the head”, he said.
He said the injured security man was taken to the hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
“As I am talking to you now, the military is still battling those guys, and they are proving difficult to be repelled. Now, they have shut down the airport,” he said
It was gathered that more military, security operatives were deployed to the airport, for clearance operation using the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
