Liberia: UN, police open fire on suspected armed robbers, killing one

A suspected armed robber was shot dead early yesterday near Liberia’s border with Guinea when United Nations peacekeepers supporting Liberian Police returned fire on armed men in a stolen UN vehicle who attacked a checkpoint after an earlier armed robbery.

On Saturday night, three suspected armed robbers entered the residential compounds of two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Zorzor armed with an AK-47 rifle and two pistols, the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) said in a statement today. They attacked the residents and stole a UN vehicle, office equipment, personal effects and some cash.

A joint team of the Liberia National Police, UN Police, UNMIL Military and Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization mounted extra check-points on exit roads from Liberia to Guinea. The suspects, driving the stolen UN vehicle, spotted the check-point in the village of Konadu, and started firing as they attempted to break through the barrier.

The team of law enforcement officers returned fire and injured the driver, who later died. The two other suspects escaped into neighbouring Guinea. A Guinean national identification card was later found on the deceased. The UN vehicle and some of the stolen items were recovered.

“UNMIL wishes to assure all Liberians that UNMIL peacekeepers working closely with the Liberia National Police will remain vigilant across the country and take all measures to ensure the safety of all citizens,” the mission said, calling on the general public, especially those living along Liberia’s borders, “to assist the security agencies by providing them with information on any criminal activities.”

Meanwhile, UNMIL’s Nigerian military contingent has donated a newly-constructed $14,000 clinic to the people of Charlesville, a town of over 4,000 people near Monrovia, the capital, the latest in the long list humanitarian projects being undertaken by Nigerian blue helmets in addition to their primary tasks of keeping the peace.

“This beautiful building will remind us, long after today, of the generosity, care and concern of all members of NIBAT11,” UNMIL Officer in Charge Jordan Ryan said yesterday as he commissioned the clinic, referring to the Nigerian Battalion.

“This clinic is an example of how the United Nations family is ready to work closely with Liberia so that every Liberian – man, woman and child – has access to good heath.”

NIBATT 11 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel John Enenche noted that the clinic was his soldiers’ modest contribution to Liberia’s recovery process. “Our vision is to see this clinic transform into a full-fledged hospital in the near future, and generally boost the health sector of Liberia,” he said.