157 troops have been deployed to Abyei, South Sudan, for a peacekeeping assignment. The troops, mostly from Nigerian Company 2 to the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei, NIGCOY 2 UNISFA, consisted of 15 officers and 142 soldiers. Nigerian Army’s Chief of Operation, Maj.-Gen. Boniface Sinjen, who addressed the troops at their pre-deployment discuss noted that the exercise is part of the nation's contributions to global peace and security.
According to Maj.-Gen. Boniface Sinjen, Nigeria has effectively taken part in more than 40 peacekeeping operations and has sent out over 100,000 peacekeepers since its inaugural mission in the Congo in 1960. He went on to plead with the soldiers, not to tarnish Nigeria’s image by engaging in bad acts such as sexual exploitation and drug trafficking.
“All Nigerian peacekeepers alongside others from around the world have aided the course of humanity while helping nations in distress to restore peace and enthrone much-desired development.
“The UNISFA was established to restore peace and stability in Abyei after the demilitarisation of Abyei in June 2011, making it an administrative town under the control of the United Nations.
“Essentially, the mission is mandated to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, protect the area from incursions by unauthorized elements, and ensure security.
“The mission has also helped to restore peace and stability in Abyei through the professional conduct of the troops,” he said.
