The Nigerian Army has sent 86 personnel to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau, as part of Nigeria’s ongoing contribution to peace and security operations in the region.
The troops, under the mission code named “Nigerian Company 5” departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft, it was reported.
The Army said in a statement on its official social media platforms on Saturday that the personnel have arrived safely in Guinea-Bissau and have commenced their assignment under the mandate of the Economic Community of West African States.
Prior to their departure from the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Forward Operating Base in Abuja, the Chief of Operations, Maj. Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, urged the troops to maintain professionalism, discipline and operational excellence throughout the mission.
Represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Brig. Gen. M.M. Idris, Saraso charged them to be worthy representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the country.
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He also instructed the personnel to respect the laws and customs of Guinea-Bissau in the performance of their duties.
The troops have been cautioned against sexual exploitation and abuse, substance abuse, indiscipline and irresponsible use of social media.
The deployment, the Army said, was a reflection of Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional stability and its leading role in the ECOWAS peace support operations.
Nigeria, it said, remained one of Africa’s major contributors to regional and international peacekeeping missions, drawing on decades of experience under ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations.
The statement also said the latest deployment underscored Nigeria’s strategic role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict stabilisation across the continent.
The ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau was created to assist security sector reforms and maintain political stability after years of political crises and military interventions.
The mission followed the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau, deployed in the wake of the country’s 2012 coup.
It is part of efforts by the regional bloc to protect constitutional order and prevent instability in Guinea-Bissau from developing into a wider security threat.
Nigeria has in the past provided troops, logistics and military leadership to peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
