Nigeria bore heaviest burden In Liberia’s civil war – Chief of Army Staff

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has said Nigeria played a decisive role in restoring peace to Liberia, noting that Nigerian troops carried the bulk of operational responsibilities during the country’s civil war.

Shaibu made this known on Wednesday, February 11 at the Barclay Training Centre in Monrovia during the 69th Armed Forces Day anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia. His remarks were contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele.

According to the COAS, the relative stability Liberia enjoys today is the result of deliberate political will, regional solidarity and the sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers.

“The stability enjoyed by Liberia today stands as a direct outcome of deliberate governmental resolve, African solidarity and the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria’s involvement under the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) was a strategic decision rooted in its foreign and defence policy objectives, rather than a transactional engagement.

“It was neither incidental nor transactional, but a conscious decision taken in the collective interest of West African stability,” Shaibu stated.

Recalling the civil conflict period, he said Nigerian forces formed the backbone of the peace enforcement mission, shouldering the most demanding tasks and suffering significant casualties in the process.

“Our troops bore the heaviest operational responsibilities to halt state collapse, restore order and preserve Liberia’s sovereignty,” he said.

Shaibu added that Nigeria committed substantial troops, resources and political support over a prolonged period, laying the groundwork for national reconciliation, democratic transition and post-war reconstruction in Liberia.

During the ceremony, two senior Nigerian Army officers — Brig. Gen. Mohammed Sani Usman and Brig. Gen. Owoicho Egiga — were decorated with Liberia’s Distinguished Service Order in recognition of their contributions to the Armed Forces of Liberia.

Reflecting on Liberia’s military reform efforts, the COAS recalled his involvement in restructuring the Armed Forces of Liberia, describing the process as rebuilding “an aircraft in flight”, reforming the military while it remained operational.

He expressed satisfaction that officers mentored during the reform process now occupy key leadership positions, describing the AFL as a testament to sustained regional cooperation and international partnership.

Shaibu urged the Liberian military to uphold professionalism, loyalty to constitutional authority and its culture of sacrifice, while assuring continued Nigerian support in advisory and capacity-building roles.