Nigeria to deploy troops in Mali this week

Chief of Defence Staff,
Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim

The Federal Government will deploy troops in Mali before next week in order to contribute to the restoration of peace in the troubled West African country.
President Goodluck Jonathan said this on Monday when he hosted members of the diplomatic corps  in Nigeria.
He said his administration had resolved to join hands with other concerned countries to ensure that the crisis in Mali was resolved as soon as possible.
He said, “Already, our technical team are already in Mali. So, definitely the Nigerian troop will be in Mali before next week.
“Of course, the ECOWAS is meeting this weekend and our expectation is that by next week most other ECOWAS countries that pledged troops will be on ground to assist Mali to liberate the country.
“We can no longer surrender any part of the globe to extremism, because it doesn’t pay and we don’t know the next victim.”
Jonathan said all nations of the world must collectively discourage individuals or groups that might want to take the laws into their hands.
The President thanked all heads of state that stood by Nigeria during her trying times, especially during the floods as well as during the cases of terrorism recorded in the Northern parts of the country.
He said, “I want to through you thank your heads of governments for standing with us at our various challenges and difficult moments. During the floods, the terrorism attacks, the air mishaps of Dana and the helicopter crashes and when I lost my brother.
“I also want to thank them for the support and goodwill for my administration last year and I look forward to work for our mutual benefits.
“I am aware that building a strong economy will lead to a stronger country and we are committed to do just that.”