The Nigerian Army has deployed a fresh contingent of 86 troops to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to promoting regional peace, security and stability across West Africa.
The troops, designated as Nigerian Company 5 (NIGCOY 5 ESSMGB), departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and arrived safely in Guinea-Bissau to begin their peace support mission under the ECOWAS mandate.
Before their departure from the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Forward Operating Base in Abuja, the Chief of Operations (Army), Major General MLD Saraso, represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Brigadier General MM Idris, urged the personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and operational excellence throughout the mission.
He charged the troops to serve as worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Nigeria by faithfully executing their mandate while respecting the laws, customs and traditions of the host nation.
The troops were also reminded to maintain zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), substance abuse, indiscipline and the irresponsible use of social media during the deployment.
According to the Army, the latest deployment highlights Nigeria’s continued leadership in regional and international peace support operations. It noted that the Nigerian Army has built a strong reputation through decades of participation in peacekeeping missions under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
The Army added that through the professionalism, resilience and dedication of its personnel, it remains committed to conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict stabilisation, while continuing to serve as a dependable pillar of regional collective security across Africa.
