Despite the rising cases of insecurity across the country, the Nigeria military has deployed no fewer than 640 soldiers to different peacekeeping missions in other countries.

The figure was based on media reports on deployment between July 2021 and May 2022.

On July 21, 2021 the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.) said over 200 Nigerian soldiers were serving in the Economic Community For West Africa States mission in the Gambia.

Sixty-two soldiers and officers were also sent to Mali on a peacekeeping mission on December 3, 2021, while no fewer than 173 troops were deployed for peacekeeping mission to Guinea Bissau on April 21 , 2022.

Also, on April 30, 2022, the Nigerian Army sent a contingent of 205 troops to The Gambia on a peacekeeping mission.

In a report released by SBM Intelligence, at least 2,085 persons were killed in Nigeria between October to December 2021 in violent incidents across the country, while a total of 10,366 died in 2021.

Also, between January and March 2022, at least 2,968 people were killed while another 1,484 were abducted, according to data released by the Nigeria Security Tracker.

The security operatives were not left out, as no fewer than 323 were killed by non-state actors between January and May 15, 2022.

CEOAFRICA reports that the army said that since 1960, Nigeria has deployed over 20, 000 troops to 40 peacekeeping missions in Africa and across the world.

Earlier the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji was renamed Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, in recognition of his commitment to peacekeeping efforts and excellent service.

The centre was established in 2004 by Agwai as a Wing, when he was the Chief of Army Staff.

Speaking, Agwai noted that peacekeeping was gradually becoming an intra-country issue with the military at the centre stage following internal conflicts such as ethnic, religious other crises.

He, however, noted that Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in Africa and world at large, but had not repeat the economic and diplomatic benefits of such venture.

Agwai, who was also a Chief of Defence Staff, called on government and private-owned organisations to partner the centre in leadership training on conflict prevention and management in the quest to achieve enduring peace.

He thanked current and past leadership of the army for the honour done him by naming the centre after him.