The appeal was made on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

The outgoing chairman, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, who serves as Sierra Leone’s Chief of Defence Staff, expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s continued backing of ECOWAS defence initiatives and regional security efforts during his tenure.

Bangura said he and his successor had spent the preceding two days completing formal handover activities ahead of the leadership transition.

He commended Nigeria’s historical contribution to peace and stability in West Africa, particularly its role in supporting Sierra Leone during the country’s civil war and subsequent peacebuilding process. He also highlighted Nigeria’s participation in regional peacekeeping operations, counter-terrorism collaboration and logistical support.

The outgoing chairman urged Oluyede to extend the same cooperation to the incoming leader to ensure that ongoing regional security initiatives continue without disruption.

The incoming chairman, Senegal’s Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Oumar Wade, thanked the Nigerian military leadership for receiving the delegation and acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic importance to the region.

Wade identified terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and maritime insecurity among the major threats facing ECOWAS member states. He stressed that addressing these challenges would require close coordination, shared responsibility and sustained participation from countries across the sub-region.

He described Nigeria as a key contributor to West African security and said continued Nigerian engagement would be important to the committee’s efforts to strengthen regional defence cooperation.

Responding, Oluyede welcomed the delegation and said the visit reflected a shared commitment to regional peace and stability.

He called on ECOWAS member states to strengthen unity, mutual understanding and cooperation, urging them to put aside political differences and bilateral disputes when addressing common security threats.

The Nigerian defence chief emphasised that security challenges often cross national borders, making cooperation between neighbouring countries essential. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, integration and development through ECOWAS security initiatives.

Oluyede also assured Wade of Nigeria’s support during his tenure as chairman, expressing confidence that continued collaboration among member states would improve the region’s collective response to insecurity.

The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts by West African countries to coordinate responses to terrorism, organised crime and maritime threats that affect regional stability and development.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia