FG To Immortalise Nigerian Soldiers Killed In Liberia, Sierra Leone

The Federal Government has pledged to immortalise Nigerian soldiers who died during peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone under the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), gave the assurance when he received a delegation of ECOMOG veterans led by Major General Ohifeme Ejimai (retd.) at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, Musa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the legacy and sacrifices of Nigerian troops who served under the regional peacekeeping force.

The minister acknowledged the human and financial resources committed by Nigeria to ECOMOG operations, particularly the sacrifices of personnel who lost their lives during missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

He said efforts were ongoing to document outstanding records, casualties and historical assets associated with ECOMOG to ensure that the force’s contributions were properly preserved for future generations.

Earlier, Ejimai briefed the minister on the activities and ongoing initiatives of the veterans, as well as the welfare and condition of surviving Nigerian personnel who served under the regional force.

He said the surviving veterans remained willing to contribute to national development and security.

The retired general urged the Ministry of Defence to address gaps in the documentation of ECOMOG’s history and consider designating a national remembrance day to honour the hundreds of Nigerian troops who died during the operations.

ECOMOG was established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1990 as a regional peacekeeping and peace enforcement force.

With Nigeria playing a leading role, the force participated in efforts to restore constitutional order and stabilise Liberia and Sierra Leone during periods of conflict.