The Nigerian Army is deploying 197 contingents to the Gambia, with assurance from the army hierarchy that only quality peacekeepers will be deployed.
This is towards contributing to international peace and security, in line with the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Nigeria’s Army Chief of Operations, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, said this during the pre-deployment graduation of the contingents, at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre, Jaji Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria.
The Pre-deployment Training was aimed at refreshing the knowledge and expertise of the contingents in Peace Support Operations, as well as enabling them to have a firm grasp of all the rudiments of the mandated mission.
The Chief of Operations Army, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja in his message, delivered to the contingents by the Commandant of the Peace Keeping Centre, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, charged the contingents to be worthy ambassadors of the country.
He further explained that the tactical skills imparted to the contingents will put them in good stead, to accomplish the tasks, in fulfilment of the ECOMIG Mandate.
The deployment of the 197 contingents to the Gambia, is coming two weeks after the Nigerian Army deployed 172 troops to Guinea Bissau, for a similar operation.