Nigerian Army deploys troops in Guinea Bissau

By Sani Idris

The Nigeria Army on Wednesday completed pre-deployment training for 172 troops for a peace-keeping mission in Guinea-Bissau.

The troops began their pre-deployment training on March 21 at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Jaji, Kaduna state.

Addressing the troops, the Chief of Operations, Army, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja said the troops would be Nigeria’s Company 2 Stabilisation Mission in the ECOWAS-support mission in Guinea Bissau.

Lagbaja, represented by Maj.-Gen. Bayode Adetoro, the Director, Peace Support Operations, said the graduation further confirmed the commitment of Nigeria to deploy quality peacekeepers as part of its contributions to the quest for global peace and security.

He explained that the pre-deployment training was aimed at refreshing and polishing troops’ knowledge and expertise in peace-support operations.

“The training was to equip you with the requisite skills required to protect yourselves, ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau equipment and the citizens of Guinea Bissau, your host nation while carrying out the mission’s mandate,” he said.

He cautioned the troops to avoid any ugly incident that could tarnish the image of the Army and Nigeria during their stay in Guinea-Bissau.

“Let me categorically state that you are to discharge your duties in consonance with the mission’s mandate at all times.

“I must also remind you that the rules of engagement in the mission give you the latitude to exhibit utmost professionalism in the discharge of your responsibilities.

“Additionally, you must respect the culture and religious sensitivity of the people of the host nation and must not involve yourselves in the trafficking of illicit substance of any kind,” Lagbaja warned.

He stressed that the ECOWAS mission has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.