Nigeria deploys 86 troops to Guinea-Bissau for ECOWAS peace mission
What happened: Nigeria deployed 86 troops as Nigerian Company 5 (NIGCOY 5 ESSMGB) to Guinea-Bissau for the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission. The troops left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules and arrived safely. Before departure, the army’s Chief of Operations, Major General Mayirenso Saraso (represented by Brig. Gen. MM Idris) urged the personnel to uphold professionalism, discipline, zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, substance abuse, indiscipline, and irresponsible social media use.
Why it matters: This deployment reinforces Nigeria’s role as a leading contributor to regional peacekeeping, underscoring its commitment to ECOWAS stability amid growing security challenges in West Africa, including coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and jihadist violence in the Sahel.
Guinea-Bissau, while relatively calm, benefits from the stabilisation presence that supports constitutional order and deters potential disruptions.
What you should know: The ESSMGB mission focuses on security sector reforms and political stability following years of crises. Nigeria has consistently provided troops, logistics and leadership for ECOWAS missions across Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The contingent will serve under the ECOWAS mandate, respecting host nation laws and maintaining high conduct standards.