Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Army has deployed another contingent of troops to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), reaffirming Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to regional peace, security, and stability, as well as its longstanding leadership in peace support operations across West Africa. The deployment, announced on Saturday, August 1, 2026, through the Army’s official X handle, consists of 86 personnel serving under Nigerian Company 5 (NIGCOY 5 ESSMGB). The troops departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and arrived safely in Guinea-Bissau to begin their assignment under the ECOWAS mandate.
Prior to their departure from the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Forward Operating Base in Abuja, the Chief of Operations (Army), Major General M.L.D. Saraso, represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Brigadier General M.M. Idris, charged the troops to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and operational excellence throughout the mission. He urged them to conduct themselves as exemplary ambassadors of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria by faithfully executing the mission mandate, respecting the laws, customs, and traditions of the host nation, and maintaining zero tolerance for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), substance abuse, indiscipline, and the irresponsible use of social media. The directive underscores the Nigerian Army's commitment to maintaining its reputation as a disciplined and professional force in international peacekeeping operations.
The deployment of the 86 personnel, comprising 12 officers and 74 soldiers, represents the first batch of troops deploying under NIGCOY 5, with the remaining personnel expected to be airlifted in subsequent flights. The contingent will join the existing ESSMGB force, which has been operating in Guinea-Bissau to support the country's stabilisation efforts following years of political instability and periodic military interventions. The ESSMGB mission, established by ECOWAS, is tasked with providing security support, protecting civilians, and assisting in the implementation of critical political and security sector reforms in the West African nation.
The Nigerian Army emphasised that the deployment further underscores Nigeria’s enduring reputation as one of Africa’s foremost contributors to regional and international peace support operations. Drawing on decades of distinguished service under ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, the Nigerian Army continues to project Nigeria’s strategic leadership in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict stabilisation. Through the professionalism, resilience, and dedication of its personnel, the Service remains a dependable pillar of regional collective security and a credible force for peace across the African continent.
Nigeria has a long and distinguished history of contributing to peacekeeping missions across Africa and beyond. The country has participated in numerous operations under ECOWAS, including missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, as well as UN missions in Darfur, Mali, and other conflict zones. The deployment to Guinea-Bissau is part of Nigeria's broader strategy to support regional stability and address the root causes of conflict in West Africa, particularly in countries grappling with political transitions, security challenges, and the threat of terrorism.
The ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau was established in response to the country's recurring political crises, which have included military coups, political assassinations, and protracted periods of instability. Guinea-Bissau, a small West African nation with a history of political volatility, has struggled to consolidate democratic governance and maintain security, creating an environment conducive to organised crime, drug trafficking, and other transnational threats. The ESSMGB mission is designed to provide security support, assist in the implementation of political and security sector reforms, and help create conditions for long-term stability and development.
The deployment of Nigerian troops to Guinea-Bissau comes at a critical time for the West African region, which is grappling with multiple security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and political instability in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the broader Sahel region. Nigeria, as the region's largest economy and military power, has played a leading role in efforts to address these challenges, both through its contributions to peacekeeping missions and through its leadership in ECOWAS and other regional bodies.
The Nigerian Army has expressed confidence that the latest contingent of troops will uphold the highest standards of professionalism and discipline, building on the legacy of previous Nigerian peacekeepers who have served with distinction in missions across the continent. The Army has also reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria's foreign policy objectives, including the promotion of peace, security, and stability in West Africa and beyond. As the troops settle into their new assignment in Guinea-Bissau, they will carry with them the hopes and expectations of the Nigerian people, who have long taken pride in their country's role as a force for peace in Africa.
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