800 Nigerian Soldiers Leave For Darfur

EIGHT hundred combatant soldiers from the 3 Armoured Division in Jos yesterday left for the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan enroute Jaji. According to the Commanding Officer who led the contingent, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Aikhomu, the soldiers had under-gone medical and physical tests and found to be fit for the operations.

He disclosed that out of the 800 soldiers, 26 of them were females. He added that the soldiers had been trained for three months in the division. According to him, the soldiers would replace their Nigerian counterparts in Darfur who had already completed their six-month assignment, explaining that they were drawn from the 81 Division in Lagos.

Bidding the soldiers farewell yesterday morning, the General Officer Commanding (G O C) the Division, Maj-Gen. Saleh Maina, advised them to maintain a very high sense of discipline, which he said Nigerian soldiers were known for, adding that this was very necessary because some officers and soldiers who were found wanting during peace-keeping operations are now under-going military disciplinary action.

Maina told them that the same punishment would be meted out to them if they were found wanting more especially after he had come to the parade ground to warn them before departure on what was expected of them in their operation.

According to him, "Generally, you are aware that the Nigerian armed forces have been engaged in the United Nations Peace Support Operations all over the world for the past 60 years. The Nigerian military and the police force have performed very well and have received commendations. Nigeria today is the fourth largest troop contributing nation to the United Nations Peace Support Operations after India, Paskistan and Bangladesh.

"As I speak to you today (yesterday), you are aware that Nigerian troops are in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan and other parts of the world. You must therefore keep the flag flying by maintaining high standard of discipline expected of members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and members of the military. I don't expect to hear or get any complaint about your conduct and if I do, I will deal with you mercilessly in accordance with the law".

Maina warned the soldiers to respect the rules and regulations of their host country, including the people and their culture. He urged them not to be engaged in immoral act, adding that they must not be engaged in any form of sexual exploitation.

He said they should not bring back alcohol, drugs and any incriminating substances to the country.