A wave of criminal activities is gradually taking over the commercial city of Ganta in Nimba County, as residents complain of constant attacks. But the Liberia National Police Detachment in Ganta City, Nimba County has said the lack of vehicles, fuel and communication equipment remains a major challenge to effectively fighting crimes in the area. Several residents told our Nimba County Correspondent that they have been and continue to be victims of these criminal attacks, especially during the early night hours between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM when many people are returning from work, market and other places.
According to residents, gangs of criminals, most of them believed to be young men, usually operate in the dark and poorly lit communities, hiding in street corners, unfinished buildings and along isolated pathways. They reportedly target individuals walking alone, snatching mobile phones, handbags and other personal belongings before disappearing into nearby communities. Two residents, Ericson Dahn and Jackson Myers, who said they were recently victimized, explained that their cell phones and backpacks were taken away when they were attacked at about 7:00 PM. “We were just walking home when they ran on us from the back,” Ericson recounted, still visibly shaken.
“One of them held me by the shirt and the other took my phone and my bag. Before we could even shout, they were already gone,’’ he stated. His friend, Jackson added that such incidents are becoming “almost normal” in some parts of Ganta, with many people now afraid to walk alone at night. “Every evening people are being attacked. Some of us are even scared to stay out late because you don’t know who is watching you,” he said. Marketers and Travelers Also Affected Local marketers in Ganta are raising similar concerns. Many of them say they are attacked while returning from the market to their homes, especially those who walk long distances through less populated communities. “We leave from the market late because we have to sell everything before going home,” explained one market woman, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal. “By the time we reach the junctions, the place is dark and that’s when they [criminals] jump on us. They take our money and our goods.
Sometimes we cry the whole night because that is the only thing we depend on to feed our families.’’ Travelers passing through Ganta have also not been spared. Several people traveling from the South-Eastern part of the country as well as those coming from Monrovia, the Ivory Coast and other areas have complained of being harassed and attacked by criminals in and around the city. Some travelers say criminals often take advantage of traffic congestion and busy car parks to pick pockets, snatch bags or even force people into handing over their valuables. Others reported attacks along the roads leading in and out of Ganta at night, especially where there are no street lights or regular police patrols. Police Confirm Arrests but Cite Logistics Challenges Ganta Police Commander, Inspector Christopher Mansuo, confirmed to our Nimba County Correspondent that the police have arrested several notorious criminals believed to be responsible for multiple robberies and attacks on residents and business owners in the city.
“ These individuals have been terrorizing our peaceful citizens, especially business people,” Commander Mansuo said. “We have arrested some of the key suspects who have been involved in armed robberies against shop owners and other residents. They are currently in our custody and will be processed in line with the law.’’ However, Inspector Mansuo was quick to point out that the Ganta Police Detail is facing serious logistical constraints that undermine their ability to response swiftly to crime scenes and conduct regular patrols. The most pressing challenge, he noted, is the lack of a functional vehicles. “At the moment, we do not have a police vehicle assigned to us here in Ganta,” he disclosed. “We are doing our best with limited resources, but it is very difficult to response on time when incidents occur in communities far from the station. Sometimes, by the time we reach there, the criminals are already gone.”
He explained that due to the absence of a vehicle, officers are often forced to use commercial motorbikes to response to crime scenes and carry out basic operations. “Imagine police officers using commercial motorbikes to chase criminals or to transport suspects. It is not safe and it is not effective,” Inspector Mansuo lamented. “We need at least one functioning patrol vehicle to help us move around, do regular night patrols, and respond quickly whenever citizens call.” Citizens Call for Government Intervention Community leaders, business owners and ordinary residents are now calling on the national government, the Liberia National Police Headquarters, and other relevant authorities to urgently intervene and provide the Ganta Police with the necessary logistics, including vehicles, fuel, and communication equipment.
Many believe that without strong support to the police, the situation could worsen and scare away investors and traders, given Ganta’s role as a major commercial hub linking Liberia to Guinea and the Ivory Coast. “We cannot allow criminals to take over Ganta,” said a local business owner in the main market area. “This city is important for business in Nimba and Liberia as a whole. If customers and travelers are afraid to come here because of insecurity, all of us will suffer.” Some residents are also appealing for more street lights, community watch teams and stronger collaboration between citizens and the police. They say that while the police need vehicles and equipment, community members must also be willing to share information, report suspicious persons, and avoid protecting known criminals.
“We have to work with the police,” a youth leader in one community said. “If we keep hiding our own children who are doing these bad things, then we are helping to destroy our city. Everybody must join the fight against crime.” As night falls over Ganta each day, many residents now move with fear and caution, hoping that the rising tide of crimes will soon be brought under control and that the police will be given the support they need to protect lives and properties.
Author: Samuel Flomo
