Nigerian Soldiers Deployed To Sudan

Nigerian soldiers are sent on a peacekeeping assignment to South Sudan

A peacekeeping operation in Abiye, South Sudan, is about to commence with the deployment of 157 officers and soldiers by the Nigerian Army.

Authorities from the Army have issued a strong warning accompanying the deployment, warning against actions like drug trafficking and sexual exploitation that could damage Nigeria's reputation.

The warning was given during a graduation ceremony at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) in Jaji, Kaduna state, by Major-General Boniface Sinjen, the Chief of Operation for the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Company 2 to the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (NIGCOY 2 UNISFA) personnel, consisting of 142 soldiers and 15 officers, underwent extensive pre-deployment training.

The Commandant said, “As the powerhouse of the West Africa subregion, Nigeria has committed both human and material resources to achieving peace in the subregion.

“This graduation is a testament to the capacity and capability of the MLAILPKC as a United Nations accredited Centre to train quality peacekeepers for deployment to multidimensional Peace Support Operations in fulfilment of her mandate.

“The centre has within the last six weeks been able to train, retrain and refresh the troops on requisite knowledge and expertise to succeed in a Peace Support Operational environment.

“It is my fervent belief that these men are better informed and equipped to perform their roles in Abyei.”