The appeal was made by retired Major General Ohifeme Ejimai, who led a delegation of ECOMOG veterans to meet the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the minister’s media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the delegation briefed Musa on the activities of the veterans’ group, its ongoing initiatives and the condition of surviving Nigerian personnel who served under the regional peacekeeping force.

Ejimai urged the ministry to address gaps in the documentation of ECOMOG’s history and personnel records. He also called for a formal remembrance day to recognise the hundreds of Nigerian troops who lost their lives while helping to restore peace and stability in conflict-affected West African countries.

The retired general said surviving veterans remained willing to contribute their experience and knowledge to Nigeria’s national development and security efforts.

Responding, Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving ECOMOG’s history and recognising the sacrifices made by Nigerian military personnel during the missions.

He acknowledged the considerable human and financial resources Nigeria committed to the operations, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where Nigerian troops played significant roles in regional peacekeeping efforts.

The minister assured the delegation that efforts to compile outstanding records, casualty information and historical materials associated with ECOMOG would be completed to ensure the force’s contributions were preserved for future generations.

ECOMOG was established by the Economic Community of West African States in 1990 as a regional peacekeeping and peace enforcement force. It played a major role in efforts to contain conflicts and restore stability in Liberia and Sierra Leone, with Nigeria providing substantial military support.

Despite its historical significance, veterans say gaps remain in the documentation of the operations and the experiences of those who served. They believe a dedicated remembrance day would help preserve the history of the missions while giving formal recognition to personnel who died in service.

The proposed remembrance day has not yet been officially established. The veterans’ request now adds to broader efforts to document ECOMOG’s legacy and ensure that the sacrifices of Nigerian troops remain part of the country’s military history.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia