The Nigerian Army has deployed troops to Guinea-Bissau for a peace mission under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission.
In a statement on Saturday, the army said the deployment reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, security and stability.
The troops, comprising 86 personnel serving under Nigerian Company 5 (NIGCOY 5 ESSMGB), departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and arrived in Guinea-Bissau to begin their mission under the ECOWAS mandate.
“Prior to the deployment from the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Forward Operating Base, Abuja, the Chief of Operations (Army), Major General MLD Saraso, represented by the Director Peace Support Operations, Brigadier General MM Idris, charged the troops to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and operational excellence throughout the mission,” the statement reads.
“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 deployment further underscores the Nigerian Army’s enduring reputation as one of Africa’s foremost contributors to regional and international peace support operations.”
The army said that, drawing on decades of peacekeeping missions under ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations, it continues to support Nigeria’s leadership in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery.
It added that the professionalism and dedication of its personnel have made the Nigerian Army a trusted force for regional security and peace across Africa
