The Nigerian Army has deployed 86 personnel to Guinea-Bissau as part of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission, reinforcing Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to regional peace and security.

The troops, identified as Nigerian Company 5, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft. According to an official statement released on Saturday, the contingent arrived safely in Guinea-Bissau and has since commenced operations under the ECOWAS mandate.

Prior to their departure from the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Forward Operating Base in Abuja, the Chief of Operations, Major General Mayirenso Saraso, urged the troops to uphold professionalism, discipline, and operational excellence throughout their mission. Represented by Brigadier General M.M. Idris, Director of Peace Support Operations, Saraso emphasized the importance of serving as exemplary ambassadors of the Nigerian Army and the nation.

The troops were also instructed to respect the laws and customs of Guinea-Bissau and to strictly avoid misconduct, including sexual exploitation, substance abuse, indiscipline and misuse of social media.

The Army noted that the deployment underscores Nigeria’s leadership role in ECOWAS peace support operations and its long-standing contribution to regional and international peacekeeping efforts.

 

With decades of experience under ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations, Nigeria continues to play a key role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict stabilization across Africa.

The ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau was established to support security sector reforms and maintain political stability in the country, following years of political unrest and military interventions. It succeeded the earlier ECOWAS Mission deployed after the 2012 coup.

Nigeria has historically contributed troops, logistics, and leadership to peacekeeping missions in countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.