Nigeria has reinforced its commitment to peace and security across West Africa with the deployment of 86 military personnel to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau. The latest contingent, designated as Nigerian Company 5, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a Nigerian Air Force C 130 Hercules aircraft before arriving safely in Guinea Bissau to begin their peacekeeping assignment.
Before the troops departed, the Chief of Operations of the Nigerian Army, Major General Mayirenso Saraso, charged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and operational excellence throughout the mission. Represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Brigadier General M. M. Idris, he reminded the personnel that they would be representing not only the Nigerian Army but also the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation as a whole.
The soldiers were instructed to faithfully execute their mandate, respect the laws and traditions of the host country and maintain zero tolerance for misconduct, including sexual exploitation, substance abuse, indiscipline and the irresponsible use of social media while on deployment. These directives, military authorities said, are essential to preserving Nigeria’s reputation as a respected contributor to international peacekeeping operations...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The deployment forms part of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau, which was established to assist the country in implementing security sector reforms and maintaining political stability after years of political unrest and military interventions. The mission succeeded the earlier ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau and remains a key regional effort to prevent instability from escalating into broader security threats.
Nigeria has consistently played a leading role in ECOWAS peace support operations, contributing troops, logistics and leadership to missions in countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Guinea Bissau. Military authorities noted that the latest deployment further demonstrates Nigeria’s enduring commitment to conflict prevention, peacebuilding and regional stability despite the growing security challenges facing West Africa.
The deployment also comes at a time when ECOWAS continues to confront complex security concerns across the region, including political instability, military takeovers and persistent terrorist activities in parts of the Sahel. By sending another contingent of peacekeepers, Nigeria has reaffirmed its position as one of Africa’s leading contributors to regional and international peace support missions.
