By James Myking Suah
BARCLAYVILLE, Grand Kru, Liberia, Nov 28 – The Liberia Immigration Service has arrested at least twenty nationals from Burkina Faso, conducted investigations, and issued instructions for them to depart from Grand Kru County.
The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) executed the arrest on Thursday, November 27, 2025, within the county.
Authorities from the Liberia Immigration Service have reported that the group was allegedly transported to Grand Kru County for agricultural purposes. They were intercepted at the Topoh Checkpoint in Barclayville after entering the county through the Behwan Checkpoint at about 11:45 a.m.
Augustine Gbolego, Commander of the Liberia Immigration Service in Grand Kru, affirmed the arrest during his address to journalists. He stated that preliminary investigations indicated that residents of Picnicess had sought the assistance of the Burkinabè for farming activities in the area.
Commander Gbolego revealed that his office received a directive in mid-September from the LIS headquarters in Monrovia, instructing all county commanders to prohibit the settlement of Burkinabè nationals within their jurisdictions.
In accordance with that mandate, the twenty individuals are prohibited from residing or working within the county.
Officials from Picnicess, including both the town chief and the clan chief, have acknowledged their role in facilitating the arrival of individuals from Burkina Faso.
It has been reported that the town is facing severe food shortages, attributed to the insufficient number of residents engaged in agricultural activities.
“People say they are fishing, but they are not serious. We need food,” the town chief said. “Only five people here are actively farming. That’s why we decided to invite people who can help produce food for our survival,” the clan chief added.
Meanwhile, Commander Gbologo provided assurance that the Liberia Immigration Service will facilitate the safe escort of the 20 Burkinabè individuals to the Ivory Coast border, ensuring their departure from the county and Liberia as a whole.