Over 900 Nigeria military men and women have headed to Mali for peace enforcement mission code named AFISMA as Islamist groups try to over run the country's major towns.
The troops were airlifted from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on C130 military aircraft.
The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the country and make the nation proud. He promised to make their welfare a top priority.
Meanwhile the Nigeria Air force drafted from different parts of the country will be joining them. Alpha one used in the Liberian war will be deployed in Mali. The Chief of Air Staff admonished them to fly the countries flag high.
The Nigerian troops are expected to join other troops from France in the border town of Banamba to stop the advancing insurgents, who are already 400 kilometers Bamako from advancing further.
United States ,Canada and European Unions on Thursday pledged to give an unflinching supports to the French and Nigerian troops .
Nigeria government, led by President Jonathan has pledged to support the government of Mali in the peace enforcement mission because any attempt to allow the insurgent a field day will eventual spill into Nigeria; which is currently having to contend with the Boko Haram issue.
The Nigeria Senate has given its support to the peace enforcement mission.
It is left to be seen what this will turn into.
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