Peacekeeping: Buratai Caution Officers Against Violation of Operational Ethics
By Alex Uangbaoje, Jaji
Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (CAOS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has cautioned troops on international mission not to get themselves involved in ugly incidents that could tarnish the image of the country and the Nigerian Army (NA).
The COAS, warned that the NA will not tolerate any act of trafficking of illicit substances of any kind, such as alcohol and drugs abuse capable of negating the United Nations ethics.
He noted that Nigeria as well as the UN has high respect for human rights, protection of civilians in armed conflicts and maintains zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.
Buratai, gave the instructions on Tuesday in Jaji, during the graduation ceremony of 800 officers and men of the Nigerian Army 46 Battalion (NIBATT 46) pre-deployment training to Dafur, Sudan.
Represented by Commandant, 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, Buratai, added that Nigerian government will not also tolerate the contravention of its policies.
“Let me also state that the Centre for Peace Keeping has lived up to expectations in preparation of quality peacekeepers capable of meeting the multidimensional and complex that abound in the peacekeeping environment.
” I therefore, implore you to remain resolute in ensuring that high standards achieved are maintained.” He said.
Speaking on the training that lasted for 4 weeks, commandant of the Nigerian Peacekeeping Centre, Brigadier General Adamu Dauda, assured that, NIBATT 46 will continually work hard to improve on the skills they have acquired in upholding the standards already set by the Nigerian Army.
“I observed with delight the remarkable progress achieved by troops of NIBATT 46 since their arrival at the centre.
“The leadership qualities exhibited by the officers and the high level of enthusiasm and cohesion shown by the soldiers are most encouraging. I have no doubt that these would reflect on the conduct of the unit in the theatre of operation.
“It is instructive to state that Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre in its mandate has the responsibility of providing quality training for troops earmarked for peace support operation. This is to prepare them for the multidimensional challenges in a dynamic and complex peacekeeping environment.” He explained.
