Nigerian peacekeepers to depart for Sudan’s Darfur

Oct 28, 2006 (ABUJA) — A detachment of Nigeria’s Field Artillery Regiment stationed in Jos, the capital of the northern state of Plateau, is scheduled to depart for Sudan on a peace mission next Monday.

In a statement issued at the weekend, Nigerian Army Public Relations Officer Ibrahim Abdullahi said the regiment “will depart Jos for Sudan on Oct. 30.”

Abdullahi said Maj.-Gen. J. O. S. Oshanupin, general officer commanding the 3rd Armored Division, would address the officers and men of the regiment at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, before their departure.

He said the artillery regiment would take over from another Nigerian Battalion that had completed their tour of duty as part of the African Union mission in Darfur.

The Nigerian Army Headquarters said recently that Nigeria would continue to rotate its troops serving in Sudan.

(Xinhua)