Published: February 11, 2026
MONROVIA — Maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, the rise of synthetic drug trafficking, and expanding transnational threats took center stage Wednesday as Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, delivered the keynote address at Liberia’s 69th Armed Forces Day celebration.
Speaking at the national observance in Monrovia, Lt. Gen. Shaibu warned that piracy, illegal and unregulated fishing, and organized criminal networks continue to threaten coastal states across West Africa, including Liberia.
“Maritime security remains a concern as the Gulf of Guinea continues to face challenges ranging from piracy to unregulated fishing,” he said. “As a littoral state, Liberia is not isolated from these threats.”
He stressed that safeguarding Liberia’s maritime domain will require forward-looking strategies, technological innovation, regional coordination, and timely intelligence sharing to counter evolving threats.
Drug Trafficking a Growing Security Risk
Lt. Gen. Shaibu described drug trafficking—particularly the spread of synthetic narcotics—as a growing national and regional security challenge that extends beyond traditional law enforcement.
“Drug trafficking has evolved beyond a law enforcement concern to become a significant national and regional security threat,” he said. “The proliferation of illicit substances, especially synthetic drugs, poses a grave danger to our youth, undermines social cohesion, weakens economies, and fuels organized crime and violent extremism.”
He called for strengthened interagency collaboration, shared intelligence, coordinated enforcement, and robust legal frameworks to dismantle trafficking networks.
The Armed Forces Day celebration was held under the theme, “Securing Liberia Together: Strengthening Interagency Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking and Emerging Security Threats,” which Shaibu described as timely given the region’s increasingly complex security landscape.
Nigeria–Liberia Military Cooperation
Reaffirming longstanding military ties between Nigeria and Liberia, Shaibu recalled Nigeria’s role during the ECOWAS peacekeeping missions and its continued support in rebuilding the Armed Forces of Liberia following years of civil conflict.
“We stood together during the most challenging times, and today we stand together in celebration and collaboration,” he said.
Shaibu, who served in Liberia between 2007 and 2012 as a military assistant during the restructuring of the AFL, described his return as “a profound homecoming.”
Drawing from Nigeria’s security framework, Shaibu advocated for a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach” to national defense.
“No single agency, no matter how well equipped, can counter security threats alone,” he said.
He referenced Nigeria’s joint task force model, which integrates the army, navy, air force, police, and paramilitary services under coordinated leadership to reduce duplication and enhance operational effectiveness.
In addition to maritime crime and narcotics trafficking, he warned of increasing cybercrime and attacks on critical infrastructure across Africa, describing them as emerging threats capable of undermining financial systems and national security.
Tribute to Fallen Service Members
Marking Feb. 11 as a day of remembrance, Shaibu paid tribute to generations of Liberian service members who defended the nation’s sovereignty.
“You are indeed the guardians of peace,” he told AFL officers and soldiers. “Your professionalism, discipline, and loyalty are the bedrock of Liberia’s democracy.”
He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to continue supporting Liberia through capacity-building programs, regional security initiatives, and collaborative efforts aimed at promoting stability in West Africa.
The 69th Armed Forces Day ceremony brought together senior government officials, military leaders, diplomats, and regional partners in a renewed call for coordinated action against drug trafficking, maritime crime, and emerging transnational threats.
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