Yekepa, Nimba County – Heavily armed gang stormed ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Mount Yuelliton base camp in Nimba County late Wednesday night, launching a brutal that left security personnel severely beaten and critical mining infrastructure vandalized.
The attackers overpowered security officers, smashed windows, and forcefully removed battery compartments from excavators. They also looted fuel oil and ransacked offices, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
In video footage recorded after the attack, a Police officer described the terrifying scene, warning that such violent attacks at AML mines have become a near-daily occurrence. He expressed fear that criminals are growing more violent, escalating their attacks with no consequences.
The police officer and others were responding after receiving call for help, noting that the mine was “Under serious attack, you can see criminals came up here. They attacked the officers up here, forcibly took the battery from the machine. The battery compartment of the machine—they took it out. Seriously, it’s a serious issue up here.”
The officer went on to highlight the growing trend of violent incursions at ArcelorMittal’s mines, warning that the situation is spiraling out of control.
“They came up here, they stole batteries, fuel, beat officers, the SEGAL officers. This is the second excavator—they stole the batteries from here”
“Look, guards are getting terrible up here. Every day, every day, there is an attack up here. Every day, they come up here. As soon as the police go on patrol, they come up here. See the machine up there, they took fuel from all the machines”, he added.
The police team had been engaged in community outreach when they received the distress call.
“We just responded. We just came from a community initiative where we wanted to talk to the people in the rural community. We got a call. We are responding here,” the officer stated.
There have been repeated assaults on ArcelorMittal’s mining sites in Nimba County which has raised serious questions about the government’s commitment to protecting key investments.
The continued lawlessness not only threatens the safety of workers and assets but also sends a dangerous message to international investors about Liberia’s security environment.
ArcelorMittal is Liberia’s highest taxpayer and largest private-sector investor, playing a vital role in the country’s economy. Yet, with no effective intervention to halt the relentless attacks, frustration is mounting.
Stakeholders are demanding immediate and decisive action from the government to end the lawlessness, safeguard vital infrastructure, and restore investor confidence before the situation spirals further out of control.
On many occasions, year after year, ArcelorMittal’s mining sites in Nimba County have been under relentless siege, with repeated criminal attacks targeting personnel, equipment, and resources.
These assaults have escalated in violence, leaving security guards battered, valuable machinery stripped, and fuel stores looted, all while the perpetrators operate with apparent impunity.
The continued lawlessness against Liberia’s largest private-sector investor paints a dire picture of the country’s security and investment climate, and it sends a chilling message to the international business community that Liberia is either unwilling or unable to protect critical investments.
If the government fails to act decisively, it risks deterring future investors, destabilizing the economy, and undermining efforts to promote Liberia as a safe and reliable destination for foreign capital.
The time for hesitation is over—authorities must act immediately to dismantle these criminal networks, enforce the rule of law, and demonstrate that Liberia values and protects those who drive its economic growth.
