- The United Nations has praised Nigerian troops on peacekeeping mission in Liberia
- The UN said Nigeria has continued to provide a formed police unit for the mission
- It also said that the UN mission now deploys slightly more than 700 uniformed personnel while it has transferred all security responsibilities to the Liberian government
The United Nation has commended Nigerian peacekeepers in Liberia for their long service in the country.
The special representative of the secretary general and the head of the UN missions in Liberia (UNMIL), Farid Zarif during an interview in New York said Nigeria also continues to provide a Formed Police Unit, as does China.
Zarif stating that the UNMIL's mandate will conclude on March 30, 2018, said the mission, that once had more than 16,000 military and police personnel, has been downsizing for several years.
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He said the mission now deploys slightly more than 700 uniformed personnel while it has transferred all security responsibilities to the Liberian government.
Zarif said: “Our last military contingent is that from Nigeria, NICOY, and we are now planning to have it repatriated by the end of January. Because of the lost timelines in the elections, we had to postpone their departure by a month."
He added that only other peacekeeping contingents that now remain are a Ukrainian Aviation Unit and a Pakistani Medical Unit who are supporting the UN presence.
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“The Nigerians have always been in the forefront of the effort to come to the assistance of Liberia, even without the UN at the time of ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) prior to the UN’s deployment, they were there as one of the largest contingents. So, I think not only we as the United Nations but also the people and Government of Liberia are very grateful for the support and assistance that they have received from Nigeria,” Zarif said.
He said: "Solidarity of such an international nature requires sacrifice: you leave your home behind, you leave your family behind, you go to a foreign land that you’ve barely known about to help others who are in distress temporarily.
Coming to the aid of another nation is a matter of pride for them. In fact, when they receive the medals of appreciation from the United Nations, you see that glimmer of pride in their eyes; feeling very, very honoured to have been part of the international effort to support a nation in distress. So, what is achieved by the Liberians is also seen as a success in the efforts of all the troop and police contributors. We are very, very grateful to them," he added.
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that 700 Nigerian soldiers were be deployed to Liberia on a peacekeeping mission.
According to the the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, the soldiers are to respect the culture and religion of Liberia's citizens, demonstrate bravery and fight professionally to protect the law-abiding civilians and themselves in the mission area.
The deployment of the troops followed attacks by Boko Haram insurgency in the north eastern part of Nigeria.
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Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Wednesday, 20 December 2017