As another huge cache of arms and ammunition including AK47 guns and other heavy machine guns and piled of ammunition have been discovered in Nimba county in the reported yard of a Ivorian notorious armed robbers amid the reported presence of over 25000 Burkinabes in the hard forest of Grand, citizens are expressing fear ahead of October polls.
According to media report, over one thousand rounds of ammunition have been discovered in Blagay Town community, Ganta, Nimba County, causing fears among residents.
The ammunition, totaling one thousand, ninety-three (1093) pieces, are believed to be AK-47 and GMG rounds along with seven empty shells. They were turned over to the Ganta Police detachment. Police Commander Archie Dennis took delivery of the ammunition rounds and empty shells.
A 16-year-old lad made the discovery when he had gone to clean the backyard of his parent’s home. Arlington Gbosue could not believe his eyes and immediately alarmed, drawing residents’ attention.
The area is adjacent the residence of a notorious Ivorian armed robber Abu Weamie, who is currently detained at the Sanniqullie Center Prison in Sanniquellie City, Nimba.
The discovery has created panic among residents of Ganta City, as they call on government for timely investigation.
The commercial district has suffered several armed robberies with suspects arrested for being in possession of automatic weapons and ammunition.
Besides, Liberian Joint Security forces assigned at the Ganta-Guinea border have arrested several persons with single-barrel guns and rounds.
Nimba County was the launching pad or birthplace of the 1989 rebel incursion in Liberia by jailed former Liberian president Charles Taylor, thru Butuo, a border town.
Arms had also been discovered buried in other parts of the country, including Lofa County that was heavily contested by rival armed factions during the civil war.
The Burkinabe crossed into Liberia and settled in forest areas along the Ivorian-Liberian border, and are said to be carrying out mainly coca farming, hunting, and pit sawing despite “not having proper documentation.”
Some are said to be contracted or hired by locals who want to cultivate large farms in return for portions of farmland or other means of reparation. Locals’ accounts in Grand Gedeh suggest that the Burkinabe would be seen with single barrel shotguns and other light weapons and power saws.
They claim the migrants are exploiting forest resources and encroaching on farmlands and shrines to make cocoa farms.
Although the estimated numbers vary, Senator Marshall Dennis of Grand Gedeh County last year disclosed that the illegal migrants are approximately 25,000 in numbers.
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