THE ICIR
CHIEF of Defence Staff Leo Irabor has revealed that the Nigerian government spent about $8 billion to end the Liberian Civil War and restore peace in the country.
Liberia was engulfed in two separate civil wars with the first between 1989 to 1997 and second between 1999 to 2003.
The initial outbreak of the First Liberian Civil War started as an internal conflict, extending its impact until 1997. The war resulted in a devastating loss of more than 200,000 lives and displacement over a million people.
To address the escalating crisis, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc, consisting of 16 member countries, took action in August 1990. They deployed a collaborative military intervention force known as the Economic Community Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), which was primarily led by a contingent from Nigeria.
Unfortunately, the peace was short-lived, as the Second Liberian Civil War erupted in 1999, leading to extensive casualties and widespread destruction.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS took decisive action that led to a restoration of relative peace in the region. Charles Taylor, a significant figure in the war and a Liberian strongman, was exiled to Nigeria as a result.
Over 250,000 individuals were reported to have tragically lost their lives, while thousands more were forced to flee their homes, becoming displaced as a result of the war.
Irabor, in a keynote address at an event held to mark the 75th anniversary of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations on Wednesday, May 24, disclosed that apart from loss of lives and injuries to personnel, Nigeria spent $8 billion to restore in Liberia.
The Chief of Defence Staff noted that Nigeria has significantly contributed to 41 peacekeeping operations across the world, adding that over 200,000 Nigerian troops have served in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.
“Since the first engagement of troops of our Armed Forces in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has been unequivocally committed to the principles and objectives of the United Nations. It has significantly contributed to 41 peacekeeping operations worldwide.
“Ever since, over 200,000 Nigerian troops have served in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide and Nigerian senior military officers have commanded some of these missions.
“Similarly, under regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Darfur and Sierra Leone and has contributed a lot in terms of finance, logistics, troops and civilian experts, making her one of the most significant African troops and civilian police contributors to UN missions.
