The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has assured veterans of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group, ECOMOG, that Nigerian troops who died during peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone will be remembered for their sacrifices.
Musa gave the assurance when he received a delegation of ECOMOG veterans led by Maj. Gen. Ohifeme Ejimai (retd.) at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.
The minister’s position was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the history and legacy of Nigerian personnel deployed under the regional peacekeeping force, acknowledging the human and financial resources invested by the country in the missions.
Musa particularly recognised the sacrifices of troops who lost their lives while serving in Liberia and Sierra Leone, assuring the veterans that efforts to compile outstanding records, casualty details and historical assets relating to ECOMOG would be completed.
“The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd) reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to immortalising the legacy and sacrifices of ECOMOG.
“Musa acknowledged the significant human and financial resources Nigeria deployed under ECOMOG, emphasising that personnel who paid the supreme price particularly during peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone will never be forgotten.
"He assured the delegation that ongoing efforts to document remaining records, casualties, and historical assets would be thoroughly completed to ensure proper preservation for posterity,” the statement said.
Earlier, Ejimai briefed the minister on the veterans’ activities and ongoing initiatives, as well as the welfare and condition of surviving Nigerian personnel who served under ECOMOG.
He said the former peacekeepers remained ready to contribute to Nigeria’s development and national security despite their retirement from active service.
The retired general also called on the Ministry of Defence to address gaps in the documentation of ECOMOG’s history and consider establishing an annual remembrance day in honour of 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 in its operations, the force participated in efforts to restore constitutional order and stabilise Liberia and Sierra Leone during periods of armed conflict.
ECOMOG: Defence Minister pledges to honour Nigerian troops killed in Liberia, Sierra Leone