The Nigerian Army has deployed 86 troops to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace and security and its longstanding role in peace support operations across West Africa.
In a statement posted across its official social media pages on Saturday, the army explained that the troops, who were deployed as Nigerian Company 5 (NIGCOY 5 ESSMGB), departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and arrived safely in Guinea-Bissau to begin their assignment under the ECOWAS mandate.
Before they departed from the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Forward Operating Base in Abuja, the army’s Chief of Operations, Mayirenso Saraso, a major general, urged the personnel to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and operational excellence throughout the mission.
Represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, MM Idris, a brigadier general, Mr Saraso charged the troops to serve as worthy ambassadors of the army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the country by faithfully executing their mandate, respecting the laws and customs of the host nation, and maintaining zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, substance abuse, indiscipline and the irresponsible use of social media.
