On Friday, the Nigerian Army deployed 197 troops to join the ECOWAS peacekeeping force in Gambia (ECOMIG). The soldiers completed intensive training at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre in Kaduna.
Maj.-Gen. Uwem Bassey, Chief of Army Operations, stated that the training prepared the troops for their mission. Represented by Maj.-Gen. Ishaya Maina, he highlighted Nigeria’s strong reputation in global peacekeeping, praising its troops for professionalism and bravery.
Bassey urged the soldiers to uphold discipline, impartiality, and respect for human rights while in Gambia. He warned against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), emphasizing zero tolerance for misconduct. Additionally, he reminded them to honor Gambian laws and traditions, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to peace.
"You are not conquerors but peacekeepers—protecting lives, fostering trust, and restoring dignity," Bassey said. He noted Nigeria’s historic role in stabilizing conflict zones, from Liberia to South Sudan, and acknowledged the current stability in Gambia while recognizing ongoing security challenges.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, Commandant of the training center, confirmed the troops' readiness after completing their pre-deployment training. He mentioned that the center had recently trained another UN peacekeeping unit now stationed in Abyei, South Sudan.
Adedoja stressed strict adherence to discipline, warning against misconduct or human rights violations. He also thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for his leadership and support.
The troops are expected to contribute to maintaining peace and security in Gambia under the ECOWAS mission.
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