The Nigerian Army says it will continue to support the cause of humanity in the West African sub-region, by deploying troops that will help ensure security and stability in Africa.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, said this during the deployment of One Hundred and Eighty-Two personnel of the Nigeria Company Six, ECOWAS Mission in Gambia.
He said, the aim is to achieve the overall objectives of the National Defence Policy.
The troops, having undergone a three-week pre-deployment training in physical and field, in line with the United Nations training programme for peace missions, have been certified fit for the operation in the Gambia.
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The Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Nuhu Angbazo who represented the Chief of Army Staff said, the focus is to offer a shared understanding of the basic principles, guidelines, and policies of the United Nations peacekeeping.
He said it is also to guide peacekeeping personnel, as they carry out critical tasks, to assist countries in the transition from conflict to peace.
The commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre, Major General James Ataguba, explained that all the required lessons, as prescribed by the United Nations Core Pre-deployment Training, were adequately followed before the deployment of the troops.
The Nigerian Army said, so far it has deployed over a hundred thousand troops for peacekeeping missions across the globe, since 1960.
(Editor:Abaje Usekwe)
