By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has airlifted the first batch of Nigerian troops deploying under the NIGCOY 5 ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, security and stability across West Africa.
The NAF disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the contingent, comprising 86 personnel made up of 12 officers and 74 soldiers, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aboard a NAF C-130 aircraft en route to Guinea-Bissau. The Air Force added that the remaining personnel would be deployed in a subsequent airlift.
Before their departure, the troops were formally seen off at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Force Operations Base in Abuja, where they were urged to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and integrity as worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Nigeria throughout the mission.
The deployment further demonstrates the strong operational synergy among the Services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria while highlighting the Nigerian Air Force’s strategic airlift capability in support of both national and multinational operations.
It also reflects Nigeria’s longstanding leadership in ECOWAS peace support missions and its continued commitment to promoting regional stability, strengthening international cooperation, and projecting the professionalism and credibility of the nation’s Armed Forces on the global stage.If you’d like, I can also make the headline more punchy for online publication.
