The Nigeria Army, on Wednesday, completed pre-deployment training for 172 troops for 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 Stabilization 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 operation.
“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 trafficking of illicit substance of any kind,” Lagbaja warned.
He stressed that the ECOWAS mission has zero
tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.
Earlier, the Commandant of the MLAILPKC,
Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, said the training was intense, comprehensive,
and was conducted using the Standard United Nations Core Pre-Deployment
Training Materials.
He added that the troops were taken through
crosscutting issues like sexual exploitation and abuse, conflict related sexual
violence, conduct and discipline as well as protection of civilians amongst
others.
Undiandeye noted that Nigeria and its Armed
Forces had remained committed to global peace and security.
“Nigeria has since the 1960s contributed
troops to different peace support operations ranging from the Congo, Yugoslavia
and Lebanon, amongst others.
“As the powerhouse of the West Africa
sub-region, Nigeria has committed both human and material resources to the
attainment of peace in the sub-region,” he noted.
The Commandant charged the troops on discharging
their duties in line with the mission’s mandate, while urging them to adhere
strictly to the mission’s rules of engagement.
He also urged them to carry out their duties
bearing in mind the multinational, as well as cultural and religious diversities
of the operating environment which underscore the need for courtesy and respect
for their hosts as well as others.
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.
Farouk Yahaya, for his guidance and support to the Centre which enabled the
successful completion of the pre-deployment training.
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