File photo: Defence Minister, Christopher Musa
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has pledged that Nigerian troops who died during peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone under the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group will not be forgotten.
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.
This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Minister’s Media Aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde.
Musa said the Federal Government remained committed to preserving the legacy and sacrifices of Nigerian troops deployed under the regional peacekeeping force.
The minister acknowledged the human and financial resources committed by Nigeria to ECOMOG operations, particularly the personnel who paid the supreme price during missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
He assured the delegation that efforts to document outstanding records, casualties and historical assets associated with ECOMOG would be completed to preserve the force’s legacy for future generations.
“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 activities and ongoing initiatives of the veterans, as well as the condition of surviving Nigerian personnel who served under ECOMOG.
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 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.
Led significantly by Nigeria, the force participated in efforts to restore constitutional order and stabilise Liberia and Sierra Leone during periods of conflict.