Nigeria has deployed 197 military personnel to The Gambia as part of its ongoing commitment to the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG), further strengthening the regional bloc’s peacekeeping presence in the country.
The troops, who have just completed an intensive Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji, Kaduna State, were officially dispatched on Friday to support efforts aimed at maintaining stability and public confidence in The Gambia’s democratic institutions.
Addressing the troops during their send-off ceremony, Major General Uwem Bassey, Chief of Operations (Army)—represented by Maj.-Gen. Ishaya Maina, Deputy Chief of Operations Force Generation—emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding leadership in international peacekeeping efforts.
“You are not only representatives of Nigeria but also ambassadors of peace for the entire West Africa,” Bassey said. “You are going not as conquerors, but as guardians of peace—protecting lives, building trust, and restoring dignity where it has been lost.”
He also underscored the importance of upholding discipline, impartiality, and strict respect for human rights and dignity.
Warning against misconduct, particularly sexual exploitation and abuse, he declared that any breach of conduct would incur serious disciplinary consequences.
The Gambia, though relatively stable since its 2017 democratic transition, still faces intermittent security challenges, making ECOMIG’s continued presence vital for consolidating peace.
Nigeria, as a key contributor to the mission, continues to play a central role in shaping regional security frameworks.
Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, Commandant of the Jaji Peacekeeping Centre, hailed the deployment as another milestone in Nigeria’s peacekeeping history. He noted that the training programme strictly followed United Nations protocols, equipping troops with mission-critical skills such as counter-IED techniques, financial accountability, VIP protection, and convoy security.
“The training was rigorous and comprehensive,” Adedoja stated, “aimed at ensuring the troops are well-prepared to meet the demands of peacekeeping in a complex operational environment.”
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Armed Forces’ zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, stressing that professionalism and ethical conduct were essential to preserving both the integrity of the mission and Nigeria’s international reputation.
Nigeria’s leadership in regional peacekeeping stretches back decades—from operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone to more recent deployments in Sudan and the Sahel.
This latest deployment to The Gambia underlines Abuja’s strategic role in maintaining peace and stability across West Africa.
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