The Nigerian Army has deployed 86 military personnel to Guinea-Bissau as part of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, security and stability across West Africa.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Army said the troops, deployed as Nigerian Company 5 (NIGCOY 5 ESSMGB), 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 deployment, the troops were addressed at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Forward Operating Base in Abuja by the Chief of Operations, Major General Mayirenso Saraso.
Represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Brigadier General M.M. Idris, Saraso urged the personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and operational excellence throughout the mission.
He reminded them that they would serve as representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the country during the operation.
The troops were also directed to respect the laws, customs and traditions of Guinea-Bissau while maintaining zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, substance abuse, indiscipline and the irresponsible use of social media.
According to the Army, the deployment further demonstrates Nigeria’s continued leadership in ECOWAS peace support operations and its long standing contribution to regional and international peacekeeping missions under ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations.
The statement noted that Nigeria remains a key player in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post conflict stabilisation efforts across Africa through the professionalism and resilience of its peacekeepers.
The ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau was established to support security sector reforms and help preserve political stability following years of political unrest and repeated military interventions in the country.
The mission succeeded the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ECOMIB), which was deployed after the 2012 military coup to help restore constitutional order.
Nigeria has consistently been one of the largest contributors to ECOWAS peace operations, providing troops, logistics and leadership for missions in countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
The latest deployment comes as ECOWAS continues to address security and political challenges across West Africa, including military coups, insurgency and extremist violence affecting several countries in the region.
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