The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said that Nigeria bore the heaviest operational burden during Liberia’s civil war, noting that Nigerian troops formed the backbone of regional peace enforcement efforts that ultimately restored stability to the West African nation.
Shaibu made the remarks on Wednesday at the Barclay Training Centre in Monrovia during activities marking the 69th Armed Forces Day Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia. The disclosure was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele.
According to the Army Chief, the peace and stability currently enjoyed by Liberia are a direct result of collective African resolve and the sacrifices made by Nigerian troops under regional peacekeeping efforts.
“The stability enjoyed by the Republic of Liberia today stands as a direct outcome of deliberate governmental resolve, African solidarity and the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army,” Shaibu said.
He explained that Nigeria’s intervention under the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) was not accidental or driven by narrow interests, but rather a deliberate foreign and defence policy choice aimed at preserving peace and stability across West Africa.
“Our intervention was neither incidental nor transactional, but a conscious foreign and defence policy decision undertaken in the collective interest of West African stability,” he added.
Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional peacekeeping and cooperation, stressing that the Nigerian Army remains dedicated to supporting stability, security and collective defence within the sub-region.
The Armed Forces Day Anniversary celebration highlighted Liberia’s military heritage and the enduring partnership between Nigeria and Liberia in promoting peace and security across West Africa.
