This is one topic I am well read in. It is a gross exaggeration to say Nigeria ended both wars. But not to discount the performance of our boys. In Liberia the war devolved into a stalemate where Ecomog led forces controlled Monrovia the capital and Charles Taylor forces controlled rest of the country. The Stalemate lead to negotiation which lead to ceasesation of fighting. Part of the terms was an election which Charles Taylor the major warlord won and became president. In essence the war only ended when the chief warlord became president. Sierra Leone Is a bit more nuisanced. Nigeria went in to restore democracy under Ecomog mandate the rescued the then president and removed the RUF junta from power. However like Liberia ECOMOG struggled to complete neutralize RUF. A major security breach in 1997 January 7 lead to invasion of freedom where thousands were killed or amputated and ECOMOG forces were reduced to Lungi airport and surroundings. It took brave effort of Brig General Maxwell Khobe who lead an operation 'death before dishonor' to clear out the rebels and clear Freetown. The war devolved into state mate and in 1999, Nigeria under Olusegun Obadanjo expressed unwillingness to continue playing the lead role. The Ecomog mission was thus transitioned to a UN mandate where Indian then Pakistan UN peace keepers came in to relieve an otherwise Nigerian operation. The UN peacekeepers struggled to rein in the RUF and at one time over 500 where captured. This forced the UK to intervene sending in forces in aid of the UN. When unit of the UK forces where captured.. an operation was launched against the rebels known as West side boys. That operation helped secure the release of captured personnel's but also inflicted a defeat of the WSB that lead to official ending of the war. In both Wars Nigeria played a pivotal role in securing peace but did not have the capacity to end the war kenetically. One thing that had to be said. Our intervention on Liberia and Sierra Leone demonstrated a capacity that very few countries 3rd or 2nd were capable off. We showed our ability to do combined arms operation over 5000 km from our territory. Nigeria Navy in particular showed it's more than just a patrol force by helping to ship men and materials including Tanks, APC, Artillery using 2 landing ship tanks. One of which was the NNS Ambe. Nigeria Frigate NNS Aradu and Corvettes NNS Enyimiri and many Missile craft where used to patrol and enforce UN mandated arms embargo of Sierra Leone and they helped with Troops landing in Monrovia and Freetown sometimes under fire. The Nigerian Air Force ran over 3000 sorties key of which is the Alpha Jet which had 4 units deployed permanently in Lungi In Freetown. Our C130 Hercules was very vital in providing supplies and men. I remembered during the famous battle for Freetown Nigeria moved over 7k men from Tactical AIr command Makurdi in 7 days. Ultimately in as much as Nigeria played a massive role in this operations lapses in Intel, corruption and lack of fire discipline and lack of loitering air capability limited the effectiveness of our forces. Shout out to men of the Nigerian army who distinguished themselves in Ecomog operations. Brig Gen Dongoyaro. Ecomog first Nigeria force commander. He showed Charles Taylor pepe. He was so successful at dealing with RUF that he was reportedly recalled back to Nigeria because IBB was afraid he was becoming too famous. There was Brig Gen Tunji Olurin. He it was who stopped NPLA effort to capture Monrovia via a major operation called Octopus by launching a counter offensive called Operation freedom in Oct 1 and defeated RUF. His reign as force commander was described as one of the most peaceful times in Liberia. Then you have the legend. Brig Gen Maxwell Khobe. I leave you with what the BBC had to say about him news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programm… – at Furah, Nigeria