Gambiaj.com – (Kaduna, Nigeria) – The Nigerian Armed Forces on Friday deployed 197 soldiers to The Gambia as part of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG), reinforcing the regional effort to maintain peace and stability in the West African country.
The troops, who completed their intensive Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna, are expected to support ongoing peacekeeping operations in The Gambia under the ECOWAS framework.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Chief of Operations (Army), Major General Uwem Bassey—represented by Deputy Chief of Operations Force Generation, Maj.-Gen. Ishaya Maina—highlighted Nigeria’s enduring role in global peacekeeping. He urged the troops to uphold the highest standards of discipline, impartiality, and respect for human dignity during their mission.
“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 stressed the importance of preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), warning that any violations would attract severe disciplinary consequences. He also reminded the troops to respect Gambian laws, traditions, and communities throughout their deployment.
Bassey recalled Nigeria’s historic leadership in peace operations, from Lebanon to Liberia, Sierra Leone to Sudan, and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to regional stability.
“The current security situation in The Gambia is relatively stable,” he noted, “but ongoing challenges require continued vigilance to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.”
Commandant of the Jaji Peacekeeping Centre, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, described the occasion as a milestone in Nigeria’s peacekeeping tradition. He said the centre’s training programme adhered to United Nations standards and equipped the troops with mission-specific skills, including counter-IED operations, financial management, convoy security, and VIP protection.
“The training was rigorous and comprehensive, aimed at ensuring the troops are well-prepared to meet the demands of peacekeeping in a complex operational environment,” Adedoja said.
He reiterated a zero-tolerance policy on SEA and misconduct, warning that any violations would not only damage individual reputations but also tarnish the image of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the country at large.
The deployment reinforces Nigeria’s leading role in the ECOWAS peace architecture, particularly in The Gambia, where ECOMIG has supported democratic consolidation since the 2017 political transition. Nigerian troops continue to be a core part of the mission, contributing to a more secure and stable West African sub-region.
