The Federal Government has pledged to immortalise Nigerian soldiers who died during peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone under the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). Minister of Defence Christopher Musa gave the assurance during a meeting with a delegation of ECOMOG veterans in Abuja.
Musa received the delegation, led by retired Major General Ohifeme Ejimai, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters. According to a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the legacy and sacrifices of Nigerian troops.
The minister acknowledged the significant human and financial resources Nigeria committed to ECOMOG operations, particularly the personnel who lost their lives during missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone. He said their contributions would not be forgotten.
Musa also assured the veterans that efforts to document outstanding records, casualties and historical assets associated with ECOMOG would be completed. He said the exercise would help preserve the force’s history and ensure that future generations understood its contributions.
Earlier, Ejimai briefed the minister on the veterans’ activities and ongoing initiatives, as well as the welfare of surviving Nigerian personnel who served under the regional force. He said the 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. He also called for the designation of a 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 in 1990 as a regional peacekeeping and peace enforcement force. With Nigeria playing a major role, the force participated in efforts to restore constitutional order and stabilise Liberia and Sierra Leone during periods of conflict.
