The Liberia National Police has remained silent on the mysterious uncrewed boat that arrived at South Beach on September 10, leaving growing questions about the vessel’s origin, ownership and movements.
The LNP announced on September 10 that it had launched an investigation after the vessel was found without a crew near the South Beach area.
The police said the relevant security agencies were working to establish the boat’s identity and determine how it reached Liberia’s shoreline.
But five days after that announcement, the police have released no further details on the investigation, including whether investigators have identified the owner, traced the vessel’s previous location or established what brought it to Monrovia.
The silence has fueled public speculation, particularly because the boat was reportedly found in an area close to the Monrovia Central Prison, where several suspects connected to Liberia’s ongoing drug investigation are being held.
There is, however, no official evidence linking the vessel to the drug investigation, and the LNP has not publicly suggested that the boat was involved in any criminal activity.
The vessel’s ownership also remains unclear. A Canadian national identified as “Charlie” has reportedly claimed ownership, saying the boat was acquired for mineral exploration and sand-sampling work in Liberia. That claim has not been independently confirmed by authorities.
Other allegations have sought to link the boat to Riverside Resort and Nigerian businessman C. Nelson Oniyama, but no government agency has publicly confirmed those claims.
For now, the key questions remain unanswered: Who owns the boat, where did it come from, who last operated it and why did it arrive in Monrovia without a crew?
With the LNP yet to provide an update since its September 10 statement, pressure is mounting for authorities to explain what investigators have found and whether the mysterious vessel poses any security concern.
