A slight drama unfolded on Thursday afternoon, when former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who was in Guinea-Bissau for a peace-related engagement, was escorted with unexpected urgency by soldiers towards a waiting vehicle en-route to the airport.

An eye witness account shared with this publication said, the scene was charged with both respect and haste, as a small detachment of Guinea-Bissau soldiers formed a protective corridor around the statesman.

“The late-afternoon sun cast long shadows across the grounds as the escort moved with deliberate speed.

“One soldier, speaking firmly but courteously, was saying, “Sir, this way please, straight to the airport.”

“Jonathan reportedly paused, raising his brows in mild surprise saying, but I came here for peace, my friends,” prompting a brief exchange that revealed the soldiers’ unusual insistence.

A second soldier, adjusting the strap of his rifle, offered a half-smile before replying, “Exactly, sir. And we need you to keep that peace…”

His colleague finished the thought: “…from home. Much safer for everyone.”

Jonathan, witness said, released a soft sigh before chuckling, “Ah! Peace from a distance, is it? Very well,” he conceded.

The soldiers thanked him and resumed their escort, guiding him briskly toward the waiting vehicle.

Observers described the atmosphere as a blend of courtesy, tension, and an unmistakable urgency; an unusual intersection of diplomacy and security choreography.

The episode, though brief, left on-lookers reflecting on the delicate balance of regional politics, personal safety, and the symbolic weight carried by global peace envoys.