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The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), has commended Nigerian Army personnel deployed on a peace support mission in the Republic of Benin for their professionalism, discipline and commitment to regional peace and security.
Musa gave the commendation during a morale-boosting visit to troops serving under Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II (OPAA II) at Camp Togbin in Cotonou, where he was accompanied by senior Nigerian defence officials, according to a statement issued by the Nigerian Army.
Addressing the troops, the minister praised their conduct throughout the deployment, saying they had continued to project a positive image of Nigeria.
Expressing satisfaction with their performance, Musa described their service as “a true reflection of the discipline, resilience, and professionalism for which the Nigerian Armed Forces are known.”
He also conveyed the goodwill message of President Bola Tinubu, saying the President appreciated the troops’ contributions to peace and security in the region.
Musa said Tinubu is pleased with the troops’ exceptional performance and extends his warm greetings and appreciation to them for their sacrifices in promoting peace and strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with the Republic of Benin, stressing the importance of joint efforts in tackling cross-border crime.
He said Nigeria and Benin would continue to work collaboratively to eliminate criminal elements operating along their shared borders, adding that sustained military cooperation remains essential to improving border security and ensuring lasting peace and stability across the sub-region.
As the deployment draws to a close, the minister thanked the troops for their service and urged them to remain committed to the core values of the Nigerian Army wherever they are deployed.
The visit concluded with the presentation of a commemorative souvenir to the minister by the Commanding Officer of Operation ATILEYIN ALAFIA II, Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Ikoro, in appreciation of his visit, encouragement and continued support for the troops deployed on the peace support mission.
MINISTER OF DEFENCE LAUDS OPAA II TROOPS FOR FLYING NIGERIA’S FLAG HIGH IN THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN
The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has commended Nigerian Army troops deployed on the Peace Support Mission in the Republic of Benin under… pic.twitter.com/tKZumIaYoM
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) August 5, 2026
