ECOMIG Troops in Solidarity March of Unity Ahead of Nigeria’s 65th Independence — NIGCOY 10 Leads Joint Exercise in The Gambia.
By Raymond Enoch
In a strong display of regional solidarity and military camaraderie, troops under the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG), led by Nigeria’s NIGCOY 10, conducted a Joint Route March on Saturday, September 13, ahead of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The symbolic march, held in the heart of Banjul, was a prelude to the October 1 celebrations and served to reaffirm the shared commitment of West African nations to peace, unity, and collective security under the ECOWAS banner.
The event, organised by the Commanding Officer of NIGCOY 10, Lieutenant Colonel S.A. Agada, brought together contingents from GHANCOY 9 (Ghana), SENBATT 8 (Senegal), and the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF). The march was not only a show of physical endurance and operational readiness but also a demonstration of deepening cooperation among ECOMIG forces and their Gambian hosts.
Senior ECOMIG leadership, including the Force Commander Colonel Ndiagne Diouf and Deputy Force Commander Colonel K.H. Okeniyi, graced the occasion alongside commanding officers and principal staff officers from Force Headquarters.
“This joint route march is more than a military tradition,” Lt. Col. Agada said. “It symbolizes our unity, strength, and shared resolve to uphold the peace and stability of The Gambia and the region at large.”
With Nigeria’s Independence Day on the horizon, the march marks the beginning of several planned commemorative activities in The Gambia, highlighting the strategic role of Nigerian troops within ECOMIG and their broader commitment to regional peacekeeping.
The exercise also served to boost troop morale, build mutual respect among participating units, and reinforce the operational cohesion required for ECOMIG’s ongoing mandate in The Gambia.
