The Nigerian Army has deployed 173 officers and soldiers to Guinea Bissau as part of an ECOWAS peacekeeping operation aimed at strengthening and enhancing security in the West African sub-region.
Major General Oluwafemi Akinjobi, Chief of Operations, Army Headquarters, announced this on Thursday during the graduation and pre-deployment training of troops from the Martin Luther Agwai Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji Kaduna State.
Graduation occurs prior to their departure to Bissau, the capital of Guinea Bissau, as they are expected to depart Nigeria immediately following their induction.
While speaking to the troops, the Chief of Operations, represented by Major General Zakari Abubakar, cautioned the contingent to adhere to the rules of engagement, demonstrate professionalism, and also respect the cultural sensitivity of the Guinea Bissau people.
“Nigeria remains the beacon of peace and gatekeeper of the ECOWAS sub-region. Consequently, the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to the deployment of a contingent to maintain peace in the Republic of Guinea Bissau,” he said.
“The history of peacekeeping in Africa cannot be written without the commitment and sacrifices of Nigeria. The first contingent of Nigerian peacekeepers was deployed in 1960 shortly after our independence.
“Since then, Nigeria has contributed over 100,000 peacekeepers in over 40 peacekeeping missions in Africa and across the globe. I must say with pride that our peacekeepers have had to restore peace in many conflict areas around the globe which has earned Nigeria many national and individual commendations from several nations.”
Abubakar reminded the soldiers of the United Nations’ zero tolerance for drug trafficking and human rights abuse.
He also asked them to avoid indecent characters capable of tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Army and the nation in general.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai Peacekeeping Centre, Major General Auwal Fagge, also highlighted the importance of the pre-deployment training.
He said the training is in line with the Nigerian Army Headquarters’ desire to ensure that troops receive the needed robust and theatre-specific pre-deployment training prior to their induction into peacekeeping missions.
Fagge expressed confidence that the high level of enthusiasm and cohesion exhibited by the soldiers and officers will reflect on their operational conduct abroad.