The ECOMOG Veterans Association has called on the Federal Government to support efforts to repatriate the remains of Nigerian military personnel who died during peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone for proper military burial in Nigeria.
The association also appealed for the establishment of a national memorial in honour of fallen personnel whose remains cannot be recovered in recognition of their sacrifices towards restoring peace and stability in the West African sub-region.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by a delegation of serving and retired officers of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, led by retired Major General Ohifeme Ejemai, to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, in Abuja.
The ECOMOG Veterans Association, which brings together military personnel who participated in the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group, ECOMOG, operations between 1990 and 2000, said the proposed initiatives would preserve the legacy of the peacekeeping mission and honour those who paid the supreme sacrifice.
The association explained that ECOMOG operations, which began in Liberia in August 1990 and concluded in Sierra Leone in March 2000, played a significant role in ending devastating civil wars and restoring stability in the two countries.
It noted that thousands of military personnel from Nigeria and other West African countries participated in the operations, with many losing their lives while others sustained life-altering injuries in the course of duty.
According to the association, despite the significance of ECOMOG's contributions to regional peace and security, much of the mission's history remains undocumented, raising concerns that valuable experiences and lessons could be lost with time.
To address this challenge, the association said it had initiated efforts to document the experiences of ECOMOG veterans through research, interviews and the publication of first-hand accounts of the operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
It disclosed that a team of researchers would be commissioned to interview veterans and record their experiences, while the association was also supporting veterans who are writing accounts of their participation in the peacekeeping mission.
The association further appealed to the Minister of Defence to facilitate the inclusion of the documented history of ECOMOG operations in the curricula of military training institutions, saying this would help future generations of military personnel learn from the mission's successes and challenges.
It also disclosed plans to engage the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Commission on the designation of an annual ECOMOG Reunion and Remembrance Day to celebrate the contributions of veterans to regional peacekeeping and honour those who died in service.
On the issue of fallen personnel, the association observed that some Nigerian soldiers who died during the operations could not be brought home for burial because of the prevailing conditions at the time and were instead buried in the theatres of operation.
It therefore sought the Ministry of Defence's support in facilitating the recovery and repatriation of their remains, where possible, for proper military burial in Nigeria, in accordance with military traditions and service regulations.
"For fallen personnel whose remains cannot be located or recovered, the association called for the construction of a befitting national memorial to preserve their memory and recognise their ultimate sacrifice." it said.
The association said its broader objective was to immortalise the contributions of ECOMOG veterans, preserve the historical record of the operations and ensure that the sacrifices of Nigerian and other West African military personnel continue to inspire future generations.
Responding, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, assured the ECOMOG Veterans Association of the Federal Government’s support for its efforts to preserve the history of ECOMOG operations and honour the sacrifices of Nigerian military personnel who served in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The Minister further assured the delegation that their appeals, including the repatriation of the remains of fallen Nigerian soldiers for proper military burial, the establishment of a national memorial for those whose remains cannot be recovered, and the inclusion of ECOMOG history in military training curricula, would receive the necessary attention and support.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with relevant authorities and stakeholders towards addressing the requests, recognising that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes must never be forgotten and their contributions to regional peace and stability preserved for posterity.