700 Soldiers Deployed To Liberia
By Olorunfemi Ojo
No fewer than 700 Nigerian soldiers will leave for Liberia on peace keeping mission on Friday.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Tamunomieibi Dibi disclosed this on Thursday
at the graduation ceremony of the troops from pre-deployment Training at the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre (NAPKC), Jaji, in Kaduna State.
The GOC,who was represented by Brigadier-General Abubakar Maikobi, said the troop would depart for Liberia on Friday.
He warned that the Nigerian Army would not accept any situation where its troops sent to Liberia would be seen as soft targets due to carelessness or cowardice.
According to him, the rules of engagement in the mission have been given to the soldiers; the latitude to exhibit bravery and fight like professional soldiers.
“The rules add that the soldiers protect themselves and law abiding civilians in the mission area,” he said.
General Dibi urged the troops to respect the culture and religion of the people of Liberia, and reminded them of the United Nation’s zero tolerance for drug trafficking.
The Commandant of NAPKC, Major-General Sanusi Muazu, said the troops had benefited from the mission specific training which would enable them operate under general and unique conditions obtainable in Liberia.
The Commanding Officer of 192 Battalion,Lt Col Mohammed Ahmed, who is the leader of the troops to Liberia, assured his superiors that the delegation would perform its assigned task professionally.