Anita Ogona
Nigeria has deployed 197 troops from the Armed Forces for a peacekeeping mission in The Gambia.
The announcement was made by Major General Boniface Sinjen, Chief of Operations of the Nigerian Army, at Jaji, Kaduna State.
The troops are part of the Nigerian Company 9 serving in the Economic Community of West African States Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG)..
The troops commenced their Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) on May 4, 2024, at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) in Jaji, Kaduna State.
The training was to equip the personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively carry out their peacekeeping duties.
Major-General Sinjen stated that the initiative aligns with the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, to deploy well-trained peacekeepers to support international peace and security efforts.
He emphasized the importance of the troops upholding human rights while performing their peacekeeping duties in Gambia.
“You have been trained in the latest techniques and procedures for maintaining peace and stability in a complex environment and instilled with the values of discipline, respect for human rights, and compassion for the people you are going out there to protect.
“Your mission comes at a critical time, as the Gambia faces a period of uncertainty and instability,” Major-General Sinjen said.
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