The Nigerian Army has announced plans to return selected veterans of its peace support missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone to the countries where they served decades ago, describing the initiative as part of this year's Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) and a lasting recognition of their sacrifices in restoring regional peace.
Desk: Defence
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: 17:25 WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Author: Nokai Origin
Speaking after the NADCEL Jumat prayer at the Mogadishu Barracks Mosque in Abuja, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu said the initiative is intended to allow officers and soldiers who participated in the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) operations during the 1990s to witness the peace their service helped secure.
According to the Army Chief, many of the personnel who served during the conflicts have never had the opportunity to return and see the transformation that followed years after the military interventions.
Army leadership noted that the visit is designed not only to honour retired and serving veterans but also to reinforce an enduring culture of institutional remembrance within the Nigerian Army.
The COAS explained that recognising those sacrifices serves as a message to personnel currently deployed across various theatres of operation that their service will remain valued long after active operations have ended.
He described NADCEL as more than an annual military anniversary, saying the week-long programme combines remembrance, public engagement and professional reflection on the Army's constitutional responsibility of protecting Nigeria and serving its citizens.
Lieutenant General Shaibu observed that this year's celebration begins with the traditional press briefing before continuing with religious activities dedicated to personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice, troops wounded in action and soldiers presently serving in operational theatres across the country.
Beyond honouring fallen and serving personnel, he said the celebration is also intended to promote national unity while strengthening public appreciation of the Nigerian Army's contributions to national and regional security.
The Chief of Army Staff confirmed that the grand finale of NADCEL 2026 will take place in Port Harcourt under the theme, "Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army."
The inclusion of the ECOMOG veterans' return programme introduces a historical dimension to this year's celebration, linking Nigeria's past peacekeeping achievements in West Africa with efforts to inspire a new generation of soldiers through visible recognition of long-term military service.
Tags: Nigerian Army, NADCEL 2026, ECOMOG, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Peacekeeping, Waidi Shaibu, Defence
#ZigPress #NigerianArmy #NADCEL2026 #ECOMOG #Peacekeeping #Liberia #SierraLeone #Defence #Nigeria
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