Nigeria Govt. Spends $8bn To Restore Peace In Liberia

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

During the 75th United Nations peacekeeping operations on Wednesday, May 24, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor, asserted that the Nigerian government spent $8 billion to restore peace in Liberia.

Irabor delivering his speech at the event stated that Nigeria’s active participation in peacekeeping missions had helped saved countless people and restored peace and stability to many nations over the decades.

Irabor maintained that despite security challenges by criminal elements in the country, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Police have continued to gather troops to sustain the country’s commitment to the United Nations.

He stated that since the first engagement of troops in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has been committed to the principles and objectives of the United Nations.

Irabor asserted that not less than 200,000 Nigerian troops have worked in United Nations peacekeeping missions worldwide.

However, he added that Nigerian troops have also been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions in Cot d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Darfur and Serra Leone.

Irabor stated that the Nigerian government has contributed a lot in terms of finance, logistics, and troops, making her one of the most significant African troops.

However, the Chief of Defence Staff, Irabor stated that it’s noteworthy that in addition to the loss of lives and injuries to the troops, a regional interventionist mediation force advocated ending the protracted Liberia civil war which had gulped $8 billion.