Army deploys 157 troops for peacekeeping mission in South Sudan

A total of 157 troops from the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre have been deployed to Abyei, South Sudan, on peacekeeping mission.

The troops, who completed their six-week pre-deployment training at the centre on

January 27, 2024, are being deployed as part of the Nigeria’s contribution to global peace and security.

The troops, part of the Nigerian Company 2 of the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (NIGCOY 2 UNISFA), comprise 15 officers and 142 soldiers.

Addressing the troops at their pre-deployment graduation ceremony in

Kaduna on Wednesday, the Chief of Operations, Army Headquarters, Major General Boniface Sinjen, said the occasion demonstrated the commitment and capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces to provide quality peacekeepers as part of its contribution to global peace and security.

According to him, Nigeria’s national defence policy remained the security and stability of Africa with special emphasis on the West African sub-region.

Singen said, “Nigeria has successfully participated in over 40 peacekeeping missions and deployed over 100,000 peacekeepers since its first mission in the Congo in 1960.

“All Nigerian peacekeepers, together with others from all over the world, have upheld the course of humanity while helping nations in distress to restore peace and enthrone much-desired development.”

Earlier, the Commandant of the Centre, Major General Ademola Adedoja, said the training took the troops through cross-cutting issues such as sexual exploitation and abuse, conflict-related sexual violence, conduct and discipline, and protection of civilians, among others.