-After Britain’s terrorist alert
By Augustine Octavius
Armed officers of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) of the Liberia National Police have been deployed at various hotels, resorts, beaches and entertainment centers frequented by British, Americans and other foreigners and tourists, police Spokesman confirmed on Monday.
The latest deployment of deployment of police ERU officers follows the United Kingdom (UK’s) warning last week that “terrorist attacks in Liberia can’t be ruled out,” putting its nationals in Liberia on the alert.
Britain’s travel advisory comes after recent terrorist attacks in several West African countries including neighbouring Ivory Coast, with the most recent one being in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou.
In March this year, armed militants attacked some targets in the Burkina Faso’capital leading to a number of deaths and injuries. The places hit in what was described as a coordinated attack included the army headquarters and the French embassy.
The latest alert from Britain, it would seem that the terrorist groups are planning on widening their targets to other countries that have never seen such terrorists attacks. And this is bound to put Liberians and those residing withing the country’s borders on edge.
But Liberian police Spokesman, Moses Carter told this Reporter on Monday that the armed police officers have also been deployed at the various Mosques for the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.
This represents the first of its kind in Liberian Muslims’ observance of Ramadan that armed police are deployed at Mosques during the fast month.
Carter explained that that following the terrorism alert released by Britain , the LNP authorities extended the deployment of armed police to all hotels, resorts ,beaches, western embassies and entertainment centers to curb any threat.
The Police Spokesman assured the public including foreign nationals that the Liberian National Police in collaboration with other state security apparatus are on a full alert in case of any eventuality.
Carter called on Liberians and foreign nationals to inform the LNP of any strange movement of people within their communities and businesses, because Liberia continues to remain under the watchful eyes of state security forces.
Also, police in Monrovia have since beefed up cheek points in and around the Liberian capital at night, with vigorous searches of vehicles passing at different locations.
The UK said some groups and individuals who are not in favor of the role of Britain in Syria and Iraq are targeting Britons anywhere in the world
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/liberia
Summary
“Still current at:
17 May 2018
Updated:
11 May 2018
Latest update:
Terrorism – Terrorist attacks in Liberia can’t be ruled out. As seen in Mali, Côte D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, terrorist groups continue to mount attacks on beach resorts, hotels, cafés and restaurants visited by foreigners. You should be vigilant in these locations and avoid any crowded places and public gatherings or events.”