Defence Minister, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) has commended the Nigeria Armed Forces for contributing to global peace through participating in peace keeping operations.
Magashi gave the commendation during an interview with journalists from NTA at his office, Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Garki Abuja.
He said that until recently, Nigeria as a member of the UN has been the fifth largest troops’ contributor to the UN, but had to draw down due to the high demand for troops in the ongoing internal security operations, particularly in the North-east.
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s first involvement in peace support operations was in Congo from 1960-1964 and till date; Nigeria has contributed Military contingents, staff officers and Military observers, formed police units and advisors as well as civilian experts to more than 40 UN, OAU/AU and ECOWAS Missions. He further explained that the Nigerian Armed Forces has participated in peace support operations at all levels with Nigeria having deployments in Mali and Guinea Bissau.
Appraising the efforts of the Nigeria Armed Forces, Magashi said that Nigerian troops have been putting in their best combating the challenges of insecurity caused by Boko insurgence in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria and contiguous countries in the Lake Chad Region.
He said Nigeria intends to uphold her foreign policy objectives in promoting international cooperation for consolidation of universal peace.
Daberechi R. Asonye
For: Director (press)
22/2/2022.
