Nigerian Army Graduates 197 Troops for Peace Support Operations in Gambia
The Nigerian Army has graduated 197 military personnel who have completed a rigorous five-week pre-deployment training for Peace Support Operations under the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia.
The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Jaji, Kaduna State, marked the official readiness of the Nigerian Contingent 10 to join ongoing regional efforts aimed at stabilizing the political and social environment in The Gambia.
Representing the Chief of Operations (Army), Major General Uwem Bassey, was the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army), Major General Ishaya Maina, who charged the troops to conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism, discipline, and integrity.
“You are not just soldiers; you are ambassadors of Nigeria and symbols of peace across the African continent. You must embody the values of courage, dedication, and discipline that the Nigerian Army stands for,” General Maina stated.
He cautioned the troops against any form of misconduct during the mission, particularly warning against sexual exploitation and abuse, which remain zero-tolerance issues for both the Nigerian Army and international peacekeeping frameworks.
“Any act that brings dishonour to the mission or to our dear country will not be condoned. The Nigerian Army will not shield any personnel found guilty of misconduct,” he emphasized.
Read Also:
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Major General Ademola Adedoja, said the 197 peacekeepers arrived at the Centre in mid-May and underwent comprehensive medical evaluations before beginning the UN-accredited pre-deployment training. He noted that the curriculum was tailored to meet the operational realities of the ECOWAS mission in The Gambia.
According to him, the troops were trained in areas such as Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operations, GPS navigation, convoy drills, VIP protection, base camp management, and medical evacuation procedures.
“This training is mission-specific, grounded in UN Core Pre-deployment Training Materials (CPTM), and reflects the Centre’s commitment to producing world-class peacekeepers,” the Commandant said.
He commended the troops for maintaining discipline throughout the training and expressed optimism that they would replicate the professionalism of previous Nigerian contingents that have served in The Gambia and other peacekeeping missions globally.
General Adedoja also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for his continuous support and provision of resources that ensured the successful conduct of the training.
The graduation ceremony was attended by top military officers from Defence and Army Headquarters, Commandants of various military training institutions, and heads of other security agencies within Kaduna State.
Nigeria continues to reaffirm its commitment to regional peace and stability through robust contributions to multinational peacekeeping efforts.
By PRNigeria
