By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strategic leadership role in regional peace and security, declaring that the stability currently enjoyed by the Republic of Liberia is a product of deliberate government policy, African solidarity and the sacrifices of Nigerian troops.
Lieutenant General Shaibu made the remarks at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia, where he attended as Special Guest of Honour at events marking the 69th Armed Forces Day Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
Speaking during the ceremony, the COAS emphasised that Nigeria’s intervention in Liberia during the civil war years was a conscious foreign and defence policy decision, not an incidental or transactional engagement. He noted that the move was undertaken in the collective interest of West African stability.
Recalling Nigeria’s pivotal role under the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), he stated that Nigerian forces formed the backbone of peace enforcement operations, shouldering the most demanding operational responsibilities and recording significant casualties in efforts to prevent state collapse, restore order and safeguard Liberia’s sovereignty.
According to him, the Federal Government of Nigeria demonstrated exceptional leadership by committing troops, resources and political will over an extended period, laying the groundwork for Liberia’s national reconciliation, democratic transition and post-conflict reconstruction.
Reflecting further during a dinner held in his honour, Lieutenant General Shaibu recounted his personal involvement in the early phases of rebuilding the Armed Forces of Liberia.
He revealed that he served alongside the late Major General Suraj Alawo Abdurrahman, then Chief of Staff of the AFL, and other regional partners in what he described as a complex “Aircraft-in-Flight” reform process restructuring and professionalising the force while it remained operational.
He expressed satisfaction that officers mentored during that formative period now occupy key leadership positions, describing today’s AFL as a shining testament to sustained international partnership, regional cooperation and adherence to core military values.
Additionally, he urged the Liberian military to safeguard its ethos of sacrifice, professionalism and loyalty to constitutional authority, assuring that Nigeria would continue to provide advisory and capacity-building support to strengthen Liberia’s stability and regional peace.
The COAS stressed that the Nigeria Liberia defence relationship is built on shared sacrifice, strategic trust and an enduring bond forged in adversity. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to Liberia’s security, describing it as inseparable from the stability of the wider West African sub-region.
Addressing the theme of the celebration, “Securing Liberia Together: Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking and Emerging Security Threats,” Lieutenant General Shaibu warned that contemporary threats including drug trafficking, cybercrime, maritime insecurity and organised criminal networks have evolved into strategic challenges capable of undermining state authority and regional stability.
He particularly highlighted the growing menace of synthetic drugs, describing it as a critical national security threat with far-reaching implications for youth development, economic resilience and internal stability. He advocated stronger inter-agency collaboration, intelligence-driven operations, reinforced legal frameworks and enhanced regional cooperation as essential pillars of effective security governance.
Drawing from Nigeria’s operational experience, the COAS underscored the effectiveness of the “Whole of Government and Whole of Society” approach, where the Armed Forces, Police and other security agencies operate under coordinated command structures to achieve improved operational outcomes. He encouraged Liberia to deepen this model in addressing both present and emerging threats.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the officers and soldiers of the AFL for their professionalism, discipline and loyalty to constitutional authority, describing them as stabilising forces and guardians of Liberia’s democracy.
He reiterated that Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains a dependable strategic partner to Liberia and the ECOWAS sub-region, committed to sustained defence cooperation and collective responses to transnational security challenges.
He congratulated the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, the AFL High Command and the people of Liberia on the occasion of the 69th Armed Forces Day, expressing confidence in the force’s continued consolidation of professionalism and operational effectiveness.
In recognition of Nigeria’s enduring contributions to Liberia’s peace and security architecture, two senior Nigerian Army officers Brigadier General Mohammed Sani Usman and Brigadier General Owoicho Egiga were decorated with the prestigious Distinguished Service Order of Liberia. The honours were conferred for their meritorious service and invaluable contributions to the AFL, symbolising the deep-rooted and evolving defence partnership between the two nations.
