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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

NAF airlifts 198 troops to Gambia for ECOWAS mission in May

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • The Nigerian Air Force airlifted 198 troops to The Gambia in May as part of Nigeria's contribution to the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia.
  • The deployment, conducted via a C-130H aircraft, also facilitated the rotation of Nigerian Company 10 and transported operational equipment.
  • The mission demonstrated the NAF's strategic airlift capability and commitment to regional peace and stability.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) successfully airlifted 198 personnel of Nigerian Company 11 to The Gambia in May, as part of Nigeria's ongoing commitment to the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG). The operation, executed in two sorties between May 26 and May 30, 2026, utilized a NAF C-130H aircraft.

The Nigerian Air Force has once again demonstrated its strategic air mobility capability with the successful airlift of 198 personnel of NIGCOY 11 ECOMIG aboard its C-130H aircraft to assume operational duties under the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia.

— Nigerian Air Force StatementThe statement detailed the successful deployment of troops to The Gambia.

Beyond deploying the new contingent, the mission also facilitated the seamless rotation of Nigerian Company 10. Additionally, the operation ensured the transportation of essential operational equipment and the troops' personal effects, highlighting the NAF's comprehensive logistical support capabilities.

The successful mission underscores the NAF’s ability to project responsive and decisive air power beyond Nigeria’s borders, enabling rapid force deployment in support of peace, security and stability in The Gambia and across the ECOWAS sub-region.

— Nigerian Air Force StatementThe statement highlighted the significance of the airlift operation for regional security.

According to a statement released by the Air Force, the successful mission underscored the NAF's strategic airlift capability and its ability to rapidly deploy forces to support peace and stability across the ECOWAS sub-region. This deployment reinforces Nigeria's role in multinational peacekeeping operations and strengthens regional security cooperation in West Africa.

Air power delivers its greatest effect when it provides the speed, reach and flexibility to respond wherever national and regional security demands.

— Air Marshal Sunday AnekeThe Chief of the Air Staff explained the importance of air power in responding to security challenges.

Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, the Chief of the Air Staff, emphasized the critical role of air power in addressing contemporary security challenges. "Air power delivers its greatest effect when it provides the speed, reach and flexibility to respond wherever national and regional security demands," Aneke stated. He added that each successful airlift mission reinforces the NAF's commitment to protecting Nigeria's interests and projecting a mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power whenever and wherever required.

Every successful airlift mission reinforces our commitment to protecting Nigeria’s interests, supporting regional stability and projecting a mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power whenever and wherever required.

— Air Marshal Sunday AnekeAneke emphasized the NAF's dedication to national interests and regional stability through its operations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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