Nigeria sends 700 soldiers to maintain peace in Liberia

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81
Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen.
Tamunomieibi Dibi, said 700 officers and soldiers
would be deployed to Liberia on peace keeping
mission.
Dibi announced this at the graduation of the
troops from Pre-deployment Training at the
Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre (NAPKC),
Jaji in Kaduna State on Thursday.
The GOC, represented by Brig.-Gen. Abubakar
Maikobi, said they would depart for Liberia on
Friday.
Dibi warned that the Nigerian Army would not
accept any situation where its troops were seen
as soft targets due to carelessness or
cowardice.
According to him, the Rules of Engagement in the
mission have given the soldiers the latitude to
exhibit bravery and fight like professional
soldiers.
It adds that they protect themselves and the law
abiding civilians in the mission area.
He also 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.
Commandant of NAPKC, Maj.- Gen. 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, leader of the troops to
Liberia, assured that they would perform their
assigned task professionally.