Christopher Musa Vows Fallen Nigerian ECOMOG Soldiers Will Never Be Forgotten

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has assured veterans of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) that Nigerian soldiers who died during peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone will never be forgotten.

Musa gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of ECOMOG veterans led by retired Major General Ohifeme Ejimai at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.

The minister’s pledge was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde.

According to the statement, Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the legacy and sacrifices of Nigerian personnel who served under the regional peacekeeping force.

He acknowledged the significant human and financial resources Nigeria committed to ECOMOG operations, particularly the soldiers who lost their lives while participating in missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The defence minister also assured the delegation that efforts to document outstanding records, casualties and historical assets associated with ECOMOG would be completed to preserve the force’s history for future generations.

Earlier, Ejimai briefed Musa on the activities and ongoing initiatives of the veterans, as well as the condition of surviving Nigerian personnel who served under the peacekeeping 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 and consider establishing 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 leading role, the force participated in efforts to restore constitutional order and stabilise Liberia and Sierra Leone during periods of conflict.