Liberian Armed Forces to Hold National Memorial in Honour of ECOMOG Soldiers who lost their lives in Quest to Restore Democracy – COS, Liberian Armed Forces.

The Chief of Staff, Liberian Armed Forces, Major General Prince Charles Johnson 111, on Friday disclosed that the Liberian Military is proposing to come up with a National Memorial to honour ECOMOG Soldiers who lost their lives during the Civil War to restore peace, security and democracy in that country.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya on Friday in Abuja, the Liberian Armed Forces Chief said the initiative apart from honouring the souls of soldiers who sacrificed restore Liberia as a country, also seeks to emphasize that, “War is not the answer or the best way to go in any misunderstanding or disagreement. Rather, it is through the ballot box, and democracy”.

Commending the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Army for the various supports rendered to the Liberia military particularly in the area of training and laying a solid foundation for its military after the war, Major Gen. Johnson recalled that late Nigerian Army Chief of Staff, Lt. General Luka Yusuf was the first Chief of Staff of the Liberian Armed Forces while several Liberian soldiers and officers were trained in institutions like the Infantry, NDA, Command and Staff College and other institutions in Nigeria.

Declaring that the problem of insecurity and cross border attacks in the West African sub region was becoming a thing of concern to countries in the region, Major Gen Johnson sought the assistance of the Nigerian Army in helping Liberia military build capacity to tackle the emerging security threats.

He said, “I am a product of Nigerian Army training institutions. I trained at the Infantry Centre and School in Jaji. I trained at the Armed Forces Command and Staff, Centre. So I know the capacity of the Nigerian Army. Looking at the contemporary security threats we are facing in the sub region and in our neighbouring countries, we want to see how the Nigerian Army can be of assistance to Liberia in the area of capacity building for our armed forces and other areas of support”.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya expressed happiness over the visit of the Liberian Armed Forces Chief of Staff noting that it is a thing of joy to see how the Liberian armed forces have evolved into a strong military after the roles played by the Nigerian Army in training its officers and soldiers.

“In the military, what we benefit most is training and retraining. We still relish the experiences we have in helping Liberia return to peaceful society and a secured nation. Nigeria has played a pivotal role in Liberia and we are still there, as part of our African support which is part of our foreign policy.

“As a country, and as the Nigerian Army under my watch, we are always willing to support sister countries. Though we have several of your officers in our Staff College and training institutions, including the NDA, vacancies and opportunities still exists and provisions for support are still available. At your liberty, if you request, we will look into it”.

On the request for assistance in tackling emerging security threats in the sub region, the COAS told the Liberian Armed Forces Chief, “The Security of one country in the sub region is the security of all and we will do all that is necessary to support you overcome these challenges and others in the sub region”.

Present at the visit were Principal Staff Officers at Army headquarters including the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major Gen AB Omozojie, Chief Training, Army, Chief of Accounts and Budget, Army, Major Gen Adesope, Major Gen Ibrahim, Chief of Military Intelligence, Major Gen Salihu, Provost Marshall, Army, Major Gen Ayenigba.

The Liberian Armed Forces Chief also paid courtesy visits to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral SS Garba.