Liberian authorities have deported more than 62 Burkinabe nationals who were found living and farming illegally in a forest concession area in Konobo District, Grand Gedeh County. The operation was carried out jointly by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS).
The individuals were discovered deep within a forest zone designated to a European logging company, where they were reportedly cultivating cocoa without proper authorization or immigration documentation.
According to the head of the FDA’s Deportation Unit, the group’s presence violated immigration laws and posed a serious threat to Liberia’s protected lands and natural resources.
“They entered illegally, and they’re being returned,” the official stated.
In contrast to past deportation challenges involving Ivorian officials, Ivorian security forces this time received the deportees without incident, while calling for future repatriations to follow established legal procedures.
The FDA and LIS reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Liberia’s forests and concession zones from illegal encroachment, promising stricter monitoring and enforcement going forward.
