?The Nigerian Army has warned its officers and men?on peace keeping?against misconduct while on field operations.
The GOC, 2 Division?of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abubakar,?gave the warning on Friday in Jaji, near Kaduna at?the graduation ceremony of troops who had undergone four weeks pre-deployment training.
He warned the troops?against acts of indiscipline that might?lead to criminal elements disarming them in their areas of deployment.
Represented by Brig-Gen. Saidu Bello, Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, the GOC told the troops to be resolute in dealing with operational matters.
He also urged them to adhere to the UN?Mission in Liberia (UNAMIL)’s Rule of Engagement and Force Protection measures.
“It is important to bring to your attention the unpredicted brewing violent situation in Liberia, which is the fallout of the just- concluded general election.
“You must exercise utmost care, considering the nature and life-style of Liberian women.
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“I will equally want you to be wary of the cultural sensitivity related to the Liberian environment, which requires caution and respect from deployed peacekeepers.
“In this regard, I urge you to abide by the mission's do's and don’ts,“ he said.?
The Commandant of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC), Maj.-Gen. John Zaruwa, said the troops had adequate training to ensure effective performance in any peacekeeping operation theatre.
Represented by Brig-Gen. Abubakar Tarfa, the NAPKC Deputy Commandant, Zaruwa said the specialised training was in tandem with Army Headquarters’ desire to ensure that troops received?much needed `robust and theatre-specific’ Peace Support Operation training prior to induction into peacekeeping missions.
No fewer than 700 officers and men from the 195 Battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to Liberia on peace keeping mission, with?warning against sexual misconduct. (NAN)