By Thomas Domah, Nimba County
An officer of the Liberia Immigration Service assigned at the Loguatuo border with neighboring Ivory Coast has been flogged by group of men believed to be Ivoirians and Liberian citizens.
The incident occurred on Saturday night between the hours of 12 and 1 A.M. after Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria in the final match of the 2024 African Cup of Nations Tournament in Abidjan.
The aggression was in response to Liberian border guards’ alleged refusal to allow jubilating crowds from Liberia cross into Ivory Coast during night hours to join their counterparts (Ivoirians) to celebrate the victory against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the Afcon final.
Eyewitnesss told the NEW DAWN Nimba correspondent of the huge presence of people believed to be citizens of the two sisterly countries who attacked the Liberian security at the Loguatuo border between 12:00 and 1:00 in the morning, demanding that they be allowed to enter Ivory Coast to form part of the victory celebration, but their request was denied on grounds that the borders officially closes at 6 pm daily, which means that no one is allowed to cross either side after this time.
This paper also gathered that following this explanation from Liberian security officers, the ringleader of the mob David Kiamue, alongside with huge number of people believed to be both Ivoirians and Liberians allegedly attacked Officer Williams Buddy, deputy anti-human trafficking commander assigned at the Luogatuo border and forced their way into Ivory Coast for the celebration.
The Saturday night incident at the border brings to two, such violence that has occurred there in less than a month.
Few days ago, group of Ivoirians forcibly crossed into Liberia to celebrate their country’s victory against South Africa.
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Since the incident, there has been no response from the Ivoirians authorities.
Immigration Officer Williams Buddy, is currently receiving medication at a local hospital on the Liberian side of the border, following the flogging.
Suspect David Kiamue, ringleader of the violence is being investigated by the Liberian Joint Security assigned at the Loguatuo border.
Citizens, who live near the border have expressed disappointment and frustrations over what they term continuous bad treatments state security are receiving from both Liberians and Ivoirians residing around the Luogatuo border.
Meanwhile, the NEW DAWN also gathered that goods are being smuggled into Liberia thru porous border points.
Few days ago, it was reported that palm oil and other produce from Liberia crossed into Ivory Coast illegally without payment of customs. Editing by Jonathan Browne
