By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strategic leadership in regional peace and security, emphasising the Nigerian Army’s resolve to strengthen defence cooperation, promote military integration and sustain collective efforts against emerging security threats across West Africa.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
Lieutenant General Shaibu made the assertion on Tuesday, 14 October 2026, while receiving the Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
He highlighted Nigeria’s historic contributions to peace enforcement and peace support operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone under the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), noting that the sacrifices of Nigerian troops were instrumental in restoring stability during periods of conflict.
He stressed that Nigeria’s military experience and strategic position place a significant responsibility on the country to continue supporting regional security through counter-terrorism operations, military capacity building and multinational cooperation.
The COAS called for stronger defence partnerships among ECOWAS member states, particularly English-speaking countries, through enhanced intelligence sharing, joint training and operational coordination to address transnational threats.
Expressing concern over the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS and the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), he stressed the need for sustained diplomatic engagement and strategic cooperation to preserve regional cohesion and counter terrorism and violent extremism.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated Lieutenant General Bangura on the successful completion of his tenure as Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, commending his contributions to regional military cooperation.
He reiterated the Nigerian Army’s determination to consolidate bilateral defence relations and support collective security initiatives, while recognising the sacrifices of military personnel and veterans whose contributions remain central to West Africa’s peace and stability.
Earlier, Lieutenant General Bangura acknowledged Nigeria’s decisive intervention in restoring peace to Sierra Leone during its civil war and expressed profound appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigerian troops.
Recalling his military training in Nigeria, he described the relationship between both countries as a strategic partnership founded on shared history, mutual trust and a common commitment to regional peace.
He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s solidarity with Nigeria in addressing contemporary security challenges and pledged to sustain military cooperation among Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia, including initiatives to honour veterans of regional peace support operations.
