CLAIM: "Government has secretly retired over 600 Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) soldiers and six senior officers perceived as disloyal and plans to recruit replacements primarily from Lofa County in preparation for the 2029 elections."
SOURCE: Isaac Doe, former Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Youth and Sport
SOURCE: Isaac Doe, former Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Youth and Sport
VERDICT: Misleading
Full Text: On October 8, 2025, Isaac Doe claimed on Facebook that the Liberian government had "secretly retired" more than 600 members of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and six senior officers deemed "not loyal" to the administration. He further alleged that the government plans to recruit an equal number of new soldiers, predominantly from Lofa County, ahead of the 2029 general elections.
The post gained significant traction, garnering 177 reactions, 276 comments, and 14 shares at the time of this fact-check.
The Ministry of National Defense (MOD) was established by an Act of the Liberian Legislature on June 9, 1972, following Executive Law approval on May 11, 1972. The ministry oversees national defense maintenance and governance of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
Verification: The Stage Media contacted Oscar Mulbah, Assistant Minister for Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry of National Defense, to verify these claims.
Mulbah categorically dismissed the claim as misleading, stating, "There will be a retirement ceremony. We are not retiring 600 people, but six personnel from the AFL. For recruitment, it has always been nationwide, not limited to any county."
We checked the official social media account and established that on October 17, six personnel were retired by the government.
Regarding recruitment, Mulbah revealed that the exercise will begin in early 2026 and aims to enlist approximately 650 Liberians into the AFL in phases. He emphasized that the process will be nationwide, gender-sensitive, and transparent, with journalists invited to cover it.
"There's no way the AFL will recruit only from Lofa County; it's not possible. Recruitment will be regional and inclusive," he said.
Mulbah noted that while official records are classified and cannot be released publicly, journalists will be permitted to observe both the retirement and recruitment exercises.
Augustine T. Larmin, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of National Defense, confirmed these details at a Ministry of Information press briefing on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Larmin stated that the intake will consist of 650 new personnel who must have a police clearance, pass a drug test, be between 18 and 35 years old, and be high school graduates.
"This recruitment process will be nationwide, from county to county and city to city, to get the 650 persons. Our target is to reach 5,000, provided resources permit. We will ensure gender balance in the process," Larmin said.
Doe was contacted on the claim via WhatsApp. He read our inquiry but did not respond.
Doe was contacted on the claim via WhatsApp. He read our inquiry but did not respond.
Conclusion: Based on information gathered from the Ministry of National Defense, the claim that the government has "secretly retired over 600 AFL personnel" and plans to recruit replacements mainly from Lofa County is misleading.
Six Army personnel were retired, not 60 as Doe claimed, and the upcoming recruitment for approximately 650 new soldiers will be nationwide and inclusive, not limited to a single county.
Six Army personnel were retired, not 60 as Doe claimed, and the upcoming recruitment for approximately 650 new soldiers will be nationwide and inclusive, not limited to a single county.
