The Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed its commitment to documenting and preserving the legacy, sacrifices and historical records of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and its veterans.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.) gave the assurance during a meeting with a delegation of ECOMOG veterans led by Major General Ohifeme Ejimai (retd.) at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Musa assured the delegation that personnel who lost their lives during regional peacekeeping operations would be formally recognised and preserved in Nigeria’s national memory.
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A statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Leah Katung-Babatundeth said the ministry was completing the documentation of historical records, casualties and veterans’ registries to safeguard the legacy of Nigeria’s military interventions across West Africa.
Earlier, Ejimai briefed the minister on the welfare of surviving ECOMOG personnel and called for gaps in existing documentation to be addressed.
He also advocated the establishment of a dedicated national remembrance day for peacekeepers who died during regional operations.
Established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1990, ECOMOG played a significant role in peacekeeping operations across West Africa, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where it worked to contain conflicts, restore constitutional order and protect civilian populations.
The proposed preservation efforts are expected to strengthen recognition of the contributions and sacrifices of Nigerian personnel who served in the regional force.
