A recent Verity News investigation has uncovered alarming security gaps along the Liberian-Ivorian border at Gborplay, Nimba County, exposing critical vulnerabilities that threaten Liberia’s ongoing efforts to combat illicit drugs.
A senior security official in Nimba County, speaking to Verity News on condition of anonymity, revealed a number of porous and largely unmanned border crossings that are routinely exploited by smugglers transporting illegal drugs and contraband into Liberia.
“How can we fight drugs when a strategic border like this is wide open, with no police, immigration, or Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) officers present?” the official questioned, pointing to the glaring absence of enforcement at these key entry points.
This security lapse is part of a wider national challenge. Earlier this year, the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) reported that out of an estimated 176 official border crossings nationwide, only 46 are manned by security personnel, leaving a staggering 130 crossing points vulnerable and unmonitored.
The lack of security at these borders poses significant risks beyond drug trafficking. It facilitates illegal migration, enables various cross-border crimes, and undermines Liberia’s national security.
The absence of enforcement severely restricts the government’s ability to monitor and control the influx of harmful substances and illicit activities.
In response, LIS launched a recruitment drive in July 2024 to strengthen border security by adding 500 new immigration officers.
From nearly 9,743 applicants, over 1,711 candidates were shortlisted for physical testing, with the goal of filling critical manpower gaps and securing Liberia’s porous borders.
The former LIS Director Steve Zargo stressed the urgent need for more personnel to counter the proliferation of drugs and illegal cross-border activities.
“We must strengthen border management to prevent the influx of harmful substances that threaten the health and security of our people,” Zargo said.
Until these border points are adequately manned and monitored, Liberia remains vulnerable to becoming a transit route and market for illicit drugs, undermining national efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes.
The security challenges facing Liberia’s borders demand immediate attention from government authorities and international partners. Effective border control is essential to safeguarding public health, protecting communities, and maintaining law and order amid growing transnational threats.
