Nigeria has deployed 86 military personnel to Guinea-Bissau as part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Stabilisation Support Mission, reaffirming the country’s longstanding commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability across West Africa.
In a statement published on its official social media platforms, the Nigerian Army confirmed that the troops, deployed under Nigerian Company 5 (NIGCOY 5 ESSMGB), departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft before arriving safely in Guinea-Bissau to begin their peace support assignment.
Before the deployment, the Chief of Operations of the Nigerian Army, Major General Mayirenso Saraso, encouraged the personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and operational excellence throughout the mission.
Represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Brigadier General M.M. Idris, Saraso reminded the troops that they would serve as ambassadors of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the nation as a whole. He urged them to faithfully carry out their responsibilities while respecting the laws, culture, and traditions of their host country.
The troops were also instructed to maintain zero tolerance for misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, substance abuse, indiscipline, and the irresponsible use of social media, emphasizing the importance of preserving Nigeria’s reputation in international peacekeeping operations.
According to the Nigerian Army, the deployment reflects Nigeria’s continued leadership in ECOWAS peace support initiatives and its unwavering commitment to regional security. The military noted that Nigeria remains one of Africa’s leading contributors to both regional and international peacekeeping missions, drawing on decades of experience under the frameworks of ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations.
The army explained that the latest deployment further demonstrates Nigeria’s strategic role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict stabilization across the continent through the professionalism and resilience of its peacekeepers.
The ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau was established to support security sector reforms and help preserve political stability following years of political instability and repeated military interventions in the country. The mission succeeded the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ECOMIB), which was deployed after the 2012 military coup to help restore constitutional order and strengthen democratic governance.
Although Guinea-Bissau has avoided the widespread violence experienced in some parts of West Africa, ECOWAS continues to maintain a stabilisation presence to prevent political instability from escalating and to safeguard democratic institutions.
Nigeria has consistently played a leading role in regional peacekeeping operations, contributing troops, logistics, and leadership to missions in countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. Its active participation has earned the country recognition as one of the region’s most significant contributors to peace support operations.
The latest deployment comes at a time when West Africa is confronting increasing security and political challenges, including military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, alongside persistent terrorist attacks and insurgent activities across the Sahel region. Against this backdrop, Nigeria’s continued participation in ECOWAS-led missions underscores its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, promoting constitutional governance, and supporting lasting peace across the sub-region.
By deploying another contingent of peacekeepers to Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria reinforces its position as a key regional security partner and demonstrates its ongoing dedication to maintaining peace, preventing conflict, and fostering stability throughout West Africa.
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