Nigerian troops leave for Mali, Air Force jets join Friday - The first set of the Nigerian contingent being deployed to Mali left the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, in central Kaduna State, Thursday.
PANA reports that the Nigerian Army Company of 190 troops is the first set from the 900 troops pledged by Nigeria to be deployed to help the crisis-torn nation regain its sovereignty.
The remaining 710 troops will deploy into the operational area 'very soon'.
Also, the Nigerian Air Force contingent to the peace-enforcement mission in Mali will leave Abuja, the Nigerian Federal capital, Friday. They are scheduled to leave after a departure ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja.
The ceremony is to be witnessed by top military officers, including the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh.
The Nigerian Air Force is deploying both fighter jets and helicopter gunships in the operation.
Pana 18/01/2013