Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A fresh contingent of 198 Nigerian troops has arrived in The Gambia to take over peace support duties under the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) as part of the routine rotation of forces deployed in the country.
The deployment was carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which airlifted personnel of Nigerian Company 11 (NIGCOY 11) aboard a C-130H military transport aircraft in two coordinated flights conducted between May 26 and May 30, 2026.
The Nigerian troops are replacing members of Nigerian Company 10, whose deployment in The Gambia has come to an end. The airlift operation also transported operational equipment and the personal belongings of the soldiers involved in the rotation.
Airlift Supports ECOMIG Operations
In a statement published on its official Facebook page on Friday, the Nigerian Air Force said the successful operation demonstrated its strategic air mobility capability and its capacity to rapidly deploy forces in support of peace, security, and stability in The Gambia and across the ECOWAS sub-region.
“The successful mission underscores the NAF’s ability to project responsive and decisive airpower beyond Nigeria’s borders, enabling rapid force deployment in support of peace, security, and stability in The Gambia and across the ECOWAS sub-region,” the statement said.
The Air Force added that the deployment highlights its growing role in multinational peace support operations and reinforces Nigeria’s position as a key contributor to regional security efforts.
Nigeria Reaffirms Regional Security Commitment
According to the statement, the troop rotation reflects Nigeria’s continued commitment to promoting peace and stability in West Africa through its contribution to ECOMIG.
The Nigerian Air Force credited the successful operation to the professionalism and dedication of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, whose efforts it said continue to strengthen collective security and regional cooperation.
Commenting on the mission, Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, described air power as an essential tool for addressing evolving security challenges across the region.
“Air power delivers its greatest effect when it provides the speed, reach, and flexibility to respond wherever national and regional security demands,” Aneke said.
He added that every successful airlift mission reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to supporting regional stability while maintaining a mission-ready force capable of responding wherever required.
ECOMIG has remained in The Gambia since 2017, supporting the country’s security sector and helping to maintain stability during the country’s democratic transition. Nigerian troops constitute one of the mission’s largest contingents and are periodically rotated as part of ongoing operational arrangements.
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