—-Forwards former OIC Biago to Further Investigation
IPNEWS: Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has picked Retired Major General Daniel Dee Ziankahn, Jr. to serve as the new Director General of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
The decision is part of a major administrative restructuring at the agency. This nomination is subject to formal confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
Major General (Ret.) Daniel Dee Ziankahn, Jr. appointment follows the 48 hrs ultimatium by the President for the Ministry of Justice to provide his office a detail report over his controversial vehicle gift from members of the drug cartel
Prior to his appointment, Retired Major General Daniel Dee Ziankahn, Jr. served as Military Advisor to the President and former Minister of National Defense.
Intended as an operational “hard reset” to strengthen Liberia’s fight against transnational crime and illicit drug trafficking.
The position opened up following a series of swift leadership changes and dismissals ordered by the Executive Mansion.
Former Director General Abraham S. Kromah and his deputies were suspended following internal conflict and chaos at the LDEA headquarters.
The subsequent management team, including Director General Anthony K. Souh, was dismissed amid administrative inefficiencies and allegations of internal division.
Prior to Ziankahn’s selection, the agency was briefly placed under a temporary Interim Management Team led by Officer-in-Charge Fitzgerald T. M. Biago. Biago requested a temporary recusal on August 10, 2026, to allow the Ministry of Justice to clear allegations regarding external influences
Meanwhile, Liberian President Joseph Boakai has ordered an immediate investigation into allegations involving LDEA Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Commissioner Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, following reports linking his office to a suspect’s vehicle. Biago has recused himself pending the outcome, and the Minister of Justice is expected to submit a report within 48 hours.
The statement furthermore notes that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has indefinitely suspended former LDEA Officer‑in‑Charge Fitzgerald Biago from the Liberia National Police for ethical transgressions, ordering a full, expanded ethics investigation into his conduct.
The move follows the President’s review of the Ministry of Justice’s report, which found no evidence linking Biago to illegal narcotics trafficking but identified serious ethical concerns that require deeper scrutiny to determine whether further administrative or other appropriate actions may be necessary.
The Executive Mansion emphasized that all individuals, regardless of position, are subject to the law. This development follows a period of instability at the LDEA, which saw previous leadership suspensions in June 2024 due to infighting, and subsequent dismissals in August 2025. Biago was appointed to manage the agency during this turbulent period.
