Bong County-based legal expert, Attorney George Mulbah, has expressed serious concerns over Liberia’s border security after two Burkinabé nationals were apprehended in Gbankoneh Town for alleged illegal mining operations.
Mulbah revealed that the individuals entered Liberia unlawfully, evading both immigration and security checkpoints. He disclosed they were caught with hazardous chemicals typically used in mining, prompting fears about possible links to extremist groups active in their home country. Burkina Faso, currently battling jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel region, has become a hotspot for regional security threats.
“Their entry into Liberia raises red flags,” Mulbah cautioned. “Burkina Faso is no longer part of ECOWAS and its citizens no longer qualify for visa-free travel to Liberia. So how did they cross the border undetected?”
He recalled past incidents, particularly an attack in Ivory Coast carried out by jihadists who crossed from Burkina Faso, warning that Liberia could face a similar fate if decisive steps aren’t taken. Mulbah urged the government to strengthen surveillance and enforce tighter security in border regions like Bong, Nimba, and Lofa to prevent illegal crossings that could be exploited by extremists posing as miners.
The arrested men have since been charged and remain in custody in Bong County. Mulbah is calling on the Ministry of Justice and the country’s security apparatus to conduct a thorough probe, not only into their unlawful entry but also any possible affiliations with broader militant networks.
Source: FPA
