The Nigerian Army has deployed 86 personnel to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau as part of Nigeria’s continued contribution to peace and security operations in the region.
It was reported that Nigerian Company 5” mission code troops left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft.
In a statement on Saturday on its official social media platforms, the Army said the personnel have arrived safely in Guinea-Bissau and have started their assignment under the mandate of the Economic Community of West African States.
Before their departure from the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Forward Operating Base in Abuja, the Chief of Operations, Maj. Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, urged the troops to exhibit professionalism, discipline and operational excellence throughout the mission.
Saraso, represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Brig. Gen. M.M. Idris, charged them to be worthy representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the country.
He also instructed the personnel to respect the laws and customs of Guinea-Bissau in their duties.
The troops were cautioned against sexual exploitation and abuse, substance abuse, indiscipline and irresponsible use of social media.
Read Also: Coalition Advocates Unified Presidential Candidate to Strengthen Opposition
The Army said the deployment was a manifestation of Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional stability and its leading role in the ECOWAS peace support operations.
It said Nigeria remains a leading contributor to regional and international peace-keeping operations in Africa, drawing on decades of experience under the ECOWAS, African Union and the United Nations.
The statement said the latest deployment also 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 support security sector reforms and to ensure political stability after years of political crises and military interventions.
The mission followed the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau, sent after the 2012 coup in that country.
It is part of the regional bloc’s efforts to protect the constitutional order and to ensure that the instability in Guinea-Bissau does not spiral 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.