Nigerian paratroopers depart for Mali

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Nigerian Air force contingent made up 69 Paratroopers and Seven officers departed for the crisis-ridden West African nation of Mali through the Port Harcourt International Airport Thursday.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Alex Badeh,charged them not to deviate from the tour of duty and the rule of engagement by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, while in Mali .

He warned them that they should not engage in any unprofessional acts that would smear the towering image of the Nigeria Military, in particular and the nation in general in the African continent in peace keeping operations.

The contingent made up officers and men were in combat fatigue of the Nigerian Airforce.

Nigeria has pledged 900 soldiers for the West African intervention force in Mali, designed to stop the balkanisation of the country by Islamists.