Nigeria’s Defence Attaché-designate to The Gambia, Brigadier General OJ Babatunde, has met with Gambian military authorities, Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate and Nigerian troops serving under the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG).
Military Public Information Officer Nigerian Contingent 11, ECOMIG, Capt. Babale Kela, disclosed this on Wednesday, adding that Babatunde, currently Defence Attaché to Mali, held the meetings on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during official visits to The Gambia, to strengthen defence cooperation and regional security.
At a meeting with the Gambian Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General O Gomez, Babatunde commended the longstanding bilateral relations between both countries and called for greater collaboration, intelligence sharing and military cooperation.
Gomez appreciated Nigeria’s continued support through military training, defence cooperation and peace support operations, particularly the contributions of Nigerian troops to peace and stability in The Gambia. He called for more training opportunities for Gambian Armed Forces personnel.
At the Nigerian High Commission, Babatunde congratulated the High Commissioner-designate, Rt Hon Tasiu Musa Maigari, and discussed areas of cooperation to advance Nigeria’s national interests and promote the welfare of Nigerians in The Gambia.
He also commended Nigerian Contingent 11, ECOMIG, for its professionalism and operational performance, urging officers and soldiers to maintain discipline, unity and mutual respect while upholding the good image of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The visits reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria and The Gambia to strengthening diplomatic and military ties in support of regional peace and security.
