Nigerian troops begin training for deployment in Guinea Bissau

Nigerian troops have embarked on training at the Army Peackeeping Center in northern Kaduna State pending their deployment to restore peace in Guinea Bissau, Minister of State for Defense Olusola Obada said Tuesday. The top government official, while receiving the President of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Kadre Ouedraogo in Abuja, said the situation in Guinea Bissau had prompted regional bloc to invoke its mandate, once again leading to the formation of ECOWAS Mission in the troubled west African country. "While acknowledging the diplomatic efforts at stabilizing the country, Nigeria, along with other member states, have pledged full participation within the framework of the ECOWAS Standby Force. The pledged troops are generated and are undergoing training," she said. It was gratifying that ECOWAS was working to find a lasting solution to the Malian crisis, she added. She assured that in the spirit of cooperative security and promoting stability, Nigeria would continue to deploy its resources in supporting the initiatives of the ECOWAS Commission. On his own part, Ouedraogo told the minister that he was in the office on behalf of the Chairman and the entire ECOWAS community to express the commission's gratitude to Nigeria for the support they had been receiving. He said the commission was grateful for the support and solidarity shown by Nigeria in the quest for peace and security in the entire sub-region. "So I want to express our solidarity and our support in whatever effort you are making to ensure peace and security in Nigeria. I want also to place on record that Nigeria is one of the most contributing country in our efforts to bring to an end the crises in Mali and Guinea Bissau," said the ECOWAS top official. "The ECOWAS Commission had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Guinea Bissau to assist the country to reform its security and defense sector," he added.