Nigeria ready to contribute troops to ECOWAS mission to Guinea-Bissau

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's military and defence officials said on Monday the country is ready to contribute troops to the ECOWAS Mission to Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB).

Defence Minister Haliru Mohammed announced the decision on Monday, saying it was taken after a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the ECOWAS defence chiefs in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

The one-day meeting, being held under the aegis of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS), is in continuation of preparations for the deployment of ECOWAS Mission to Guinea-Bissau and Mali, as mandated by the region's leaders at their summit in Dakar, Senegal, 3 May.

''On Guinea Bissau, a decision is already made that a military contingent from the ECOWAS will be sent to assist the government in maintaining law and order. Nigeria, as a leading member of ECOWAS, will participate when invited,'' the minister told journalists in Abuja.

Also speaking on the deployment, Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petinrrin, said the military was prepared for the assignment anytime an invitation was received.

''The decision to send troops will be made by government. Our job is to be prepared so that when they decide to deploy we will be ready. And, it is possible they have decided, but have not announced it,’’ he said.
-0- PANA SEG 14May2014