NAF airlifts 198 troops to Gambia for ECOWAS mission in May

The Nigerian Air Force on Friday said it successfully airlifted 198 personnel of the Nigerian Company 11 to The Gambia in May as part of Nigeria’s contribution to the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia.

The deployment, carried out aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130H aircraft, was executed in two sorties between May 26 and May 30, 2026.

In a statement released on Friday, the Air Force said the operation also facilitated the rotation of Nigerian Company 10, alongside the transportation of operational equipment and the troops’ personal effects.

It said the mission demonstrated the service’s strategic airlift capability and ability to rapidly deploy forces in support of peace and stability across the ECOWAS sub-region.

“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. Executed in two coordinated sorties between 26 and 30 May 2026, the operation ensured the seamless rotation of Nigerian Company 10, together with the movement of operational equipment and personal effects.

“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,” the statement said.

The Air Force added that the operation highlighted its growing role in supporting multinational peacekeeping operations and strengthening regional security cooperation in West Africa.

It noted that the deployment reflected its operational readiness and reinforced Nigeria’s leadership in regional peace support efforts.

The service attributed the successful operation to the professionalism and dedication of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Speaking on the deployment, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said air power remained critical to responding to 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.

“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,” Aneke said.

The Air Force said the deployment aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff’s vision of building “a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power effects in synergy with surface forces.”

Nigeria has remained one of the largest contributors to the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia since the regional force was deployed in 2017 following a political crisis that erupted after former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh initially refused to concede defeat in the 2016 presidential election.

The mission was established to support democratic transition, maintain security and assist in security sector reforms in the country.