A fresh wave of criticism has trailed the Bola Tinubu led Nigerian government’s recent decision to deploy 190 military troops to The Gambia for a peacekeeping operation, as citizens question the logic of sending soldiers abroad while insecurity festers across the country, especially in parts of Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and other northern regions.
In a clip posted on X by AIT on Saturday, Maj. Gen. Ademola Adedoja, the commandant of MLAILPKC, Jaji, certified that the troops have completed the pre-deployment training. Maj. Gen. Ishaya Maina, deputy chief of Operations Force Generation, advised the troops to remember that they are ambassadors of Nigeria and their actions reflect on the country.
The news sparked outrage online as many Nigerians took to social media to vent their frustration over what they described as misplaced priorities.
On X (formerly Twitter), @Rickyslim4 wrote, “Peacekeeping mission when there’s no peace in Nigeria,” summing up a sentiment shared by many. In the same vein, @appoloschibunna slammed the deployment, saying, “Person wey en house dey on fire don carry fire extinguisher run dey go another person house to quench their own fire while his house is about to burn down.”
Others highlighted the irony of Nigeria attempting to restore peace abroad when its own citizens continue to suffer daily attacks by bandits and terrorists. “We have peacekeeping to do in Nigeria. Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, etc.,” said @olufunsoaluko.
@Mcohakwe questioned the competence of leadership, commenting, “Omo, we are know what we are doing in dis country… Troops to Gambia while insecurity is ravaging our people… Who cursed Nigeria…???”
@ikemba_ogb added, “While in Nigeria, the middle belt are being massacred by terrorists, and we are sending our soldiers out.”
While a handful of users like @LordMikolee attempted to strike a balanced view—“Good to know that the country still upholds international peacekeeping duties. But the country must be secured,”—the overwhelming majority accused Tinubu’s administration of abandoning domestic responsibilities in favour of foreign optics.
The deployment comes at a time when Nigeria is battling increasing insecurity, especially in the Middle Belt and northern regions, where killings, kidnappings, and mass displacements have become frequent. Just days ago, fresh attacks were recorded in several rural communities.
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