Nigeria has deployed 197 troops to support the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG), reinforcing the federal republic’s enduring commitment to regional peace and stability.
The troops underwent an intensive pre-deployment training program at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji, Kaduna, before their official deployment to Banjul on Friday.
The Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Uwem Bassey was represented at the graduation ceremony by Maj.-Gen. Ishaya Maina, deputy chief of operations. Gen. Bassey highlighted the significance of the mission and the responsibility that accompanies it.
“You carry the Green-White-Green flag into a land seeking stability, order, and hope. You are going not as conquerors, but as guardians of peace protecting lives, building trust, and restoring dignity where it has been lost,” he told the troops.
Maj.-Gen. Bassey underscored Nigeria’s reputation in global peacekeeping, noting that Nigerian troops have earned international recognition for their professionalism, courage, and leadership. He also reminded the troops of the critical need to uphold discipline, impartiality, and human dignity while in The Gambia.
He warned against any form of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) or misconduct, saying such behaviour would attract severe consequences. “Respect the laws, culture, and traditions of The Gambia,” he said. “You are ambassadors of Nigeria.”
The Nigerian Army has played a central role in peacekeeping missions across Africa and beyond from Liberia and Sierra Leone to Sudan and Lebanon. In The Gambia, Nigerian troops have been part of the ECOMIG force since 2017, when ECOWAS intervened to support the democratic transition following the disputed presidential election.
Maj.-Gen. Bassey acknowledged that while the security situation in The Gambia is currently stable, challenges remain that require vigilance and professional conduct from the deployed force.
Commandant of the peacekeeping centre Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja praised the troops for successfully completing the pre-deployment training. He noted that the centre also trained a UN peacekeeping contingent for Abyei in South Sudan earlier this year.
Maj.-Gen.Adedoja reminded the troops that their conduct in the field would reflect not just on the army but on Nigeria as a whole. “Acts of misconduct, SEA, or human rights violations will not be tolerated,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for his support in ensuring effective training and operational readiness.
Nigeria continues to contribute significantly to peace operations across the continent, with ongoing deployments in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Abyei.
