Nigeria is deploying 700 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army on peacekeeping operation in Liberia, just as the Army authority warned the troops to prevent Ebola through hygienic living in that country.
The troops, who will be departing Nigeria for Monrovia, Liberia on Monday, were also warned to warned to abide by the rules of engagement and respect the culture and tradition of the Liberian people during their stay in Liberia.
The General Officer Commanding, One Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj-Gen. Kenneth Osuji, stated this at the graduation of troops at a pre-deployment training held at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, near Kaduna on Friday.
Osuji is also the GOC of the 1 Brigade, made up of the Nigerian Battalion (NIBATT) 36 in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
The military authority insisted that the Army would not accept a situation where its soldiers are seen as soft targets. Many Nigerian soldiers lost their lives in the peacekeaping operations in the same country in the early 1990s, with many families still brooding over their losses.
Osuji charged the soldiers to work within the rules of engagement of the mission and respect the cultural and religious sensitivity of Liberians.
The GOC said, “Be reminded that the Nigerian Army will not accept any situation where its troops are seen as soft targets or conducting themselves in unprofessional manner, such as trafficking in illicit substances of any kind, including alcohol and drugs.
“Additionally, you must respect the cultural and religious sensitivity of the people of Liberia.
“You must exhibit the highest sense of personal/environmental hygiene, as Liberia is just emerging from an Ebola epidemic.”
The Commandant, Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Maj-Gen. Imimitomi Birigeni, had earlier in his speech, said the pre-deployment training which commenced three weeks ago, was intensive and comprehensive in line with the United Nations pre-deployment modules.
According to him, the troops have been trained on the requisite skills to operate under any prevailing conditions.
