Nigerian troops return from Mali from Wednesday

Nigerian troops in Mali will start returning home from Wednesday, the Defence Headquarters has said.
A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, on Tuesday, said the troops being withdrawn are largely those not accommodated in the structures of the newly formed United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had last month hinted that Nigeria would withdraw some of the troops in Mali.
The withdrawal, Jonathan said, was to cope with the internal insurgence in Nigeria.
Troops have been deployed to the North Eastern part of the country to contain the insurgence of the Boko Haram sect.
The statement by Olukolade on Tuesday reads: “The Defence Headquarters will tomorrow commence the withdrawal of some Nigerian troops from the Peace Support Operations in Mali.
“The troops are mainly those not accommodated in the structures of the newly formed United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali, (MINUSMA). They are to join the ongoing internal security operations in the country. This followed the rehatting and takeover of the mission from African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) by the UN.  Some of the soldiers will be redeployed immediately.
“Meanwhile, Nigeria’s commitment and contribution to the Mali operations will be sustained in other forms. This will involve input of sizable men and materials to continue in the UN Mission.
“Accordingly, Nigeria will be providing a full-fledged Level 2 Military Hospital with full staff compliment; a Signal Squadron as well as Staff Officers in the Force Headquarters. A troop of the Mobile Police Force is also remaining in the mission.”