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By: Emmanuel Tobotinho Quiah
PLEEBO-State security officers said to be connected to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) have been accused by the Township Commissioner of Gedetarbo of being involved in the harassment of peaceful citizens under the guise of arresting of drug users and dealers.
Commissioner Alexander T. N. Williams told newsmen during a tour of the township about “repeated security operations allegedly carried out without notice to local authorities or the involvement of community leadership.”
According to the commissioner, security personnel have on several occasions entered Gedetarbo Township unannounced, conducting searches for individuals suspected of possessing or dealing in narcotic substances.
He claimed that these operations are often done without warrants, transparency, or consultation with township leaders, creating fear and tension among residents.
“We are not against law enforcement doing their job,” Commissioner Williams said. “But when security officers enter our community without prior notice, bypass community leaders, and begin searching people, it creates panic and mistrust. This is not how effective policing should be done.”
He further noted that community leaders are usually contacted when confrontations erupt between officers and suspects, a practice he described as reactive rather than preventive.
Commissioner Williams warned that such approaches threaten the fragile trust between citizens and law enforcement agencies, and could undermine ongoing efforts to promote peace, cooperation, and community development in the township.
He emphasized that collaboration with local leadership, including township officials, elders, and youth leaders, would enhance intelligence gathering and ensure security operations are conducted in a lawful, respectful, and peaceful manner.
“Our people deserve dignity and respect. When community leaders are involved, officers can get the information they need without intimidating innocent citizens,” he added.
Supporting the commissioner’s claims, Mr. Moses G. Walker, a youth member of Gedetarbo Township, also spoke during the media tour. Walker echoed concerns about the conduct of some security personnel and called for greater respect for citizens’ rights.
He said young people in the township, in particular, feel targeted during these operations and often fear harassment despite having no involvement in illegal activities.
“We want security, but not at the expense of our rights,” Walker said. “Security officers should work with our leaders and treat residents with respect. We are law-abiding citizens and deserve to be treated as such.”
Walker further urged national security authorities to review the manner in which operations are conducted in rural communities, stressing that poor coordination could escalate tensions and provoke unnecessary confrontations.
Residents who spoke to reporters during the tour also expressed mixed feelings, acknowledging the need to combat drug abuse while insisting that enforcement must follow due process and respect community structures.
As concerns continue to mount, local leaders are calling on the leadership of the LDEA and other security institutions to engage township authorities, clarify operational procedures, and ensure that future security actions align with national laws and human rights standards.
The LDEA could not be reached for clarification on the issue up to press time.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.